What drew you to want to volunteer for Celiac Canada?
Celiac Canada does so much with so little. It was inspiring to see that—and to discover the people behind it. I was hoping to make their jobs a little easier most of the time. Sometimes I have ideas and thoughts that are too big.

Why do you volunteer?
I volunteer to be a part of the community and, perhaps, to make someone’s day a little brighter. Let’s be honest—I’m really in it for the gluten‑free snacks.

How do you see your volunteer work making a difference in the celiac community?
My impact will always be through injecting a little bit of humour into an experience that is often seen as negative. I spent a lot of time trying to find my own joy; now I want to encourage others to do the same.

What has been the most meaningful or eye‑opening part of your volunteer experience so far?
Conversations and connection. I love talking to people and hearing their stories and experiences, good or bad. That connection can help others feel less alone.

I also appreciate the friends I’ve made and treasure—shameless shoutout—to @joanadoce and @sweetsbysteph for getting me through some tough times using our shared experiences; @celiapp for their curiosity; and @theglutenfreevip for her joy.

Come find me at upcoming events for good conversation and a spark of humour!

What drew you to want to volunteer for Celiac Canada?
When I was diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis and celiac disease in my 20s, it finally made sense of the constant anaemia, fatigue, and bruising I experienced throughout my childhood and teens. I immediately joined my local support group in the UK and was quickly invited to join its board. I was then approached by the head office of Coeliac UK to set up my own support group for a different geographical area.

After moving to Canada and having a child diagnosed with celiac disease, it became especially important for me to stay up to date on labelling, research, and related topics. As a result, I became involved with the BC Chapter, where I served as President for four years.

Why do you volunteer?
I have always volunteered. I was brought up witnessing my mum dedicate hours of her time to our schools and local organizations, so volunteering has been a natural part of my adult life. I am fortunate to have the time and skills to offer and, hopefully, to make a difference.

I continue to volunteer in major roles at large‑scale sporting events such as Vancouver 2010 and the Invictus Games 2025, as well as locally in my city and within the celiac community. Giving back to organizations that have supported and welcomed me is very important to me.

How do you see your volunteer work making a difference in the celiac community?
I run the Celiac BC Facebook group, as well as respond to emails that come into Celiac Canada’s national inbox. I believe these roles are critical in ensuring that everyone diagnosed with celiac disease—whether newly diagnosed or a seasoned pro—receives the most accurate, research‑backed information possible.

When someone is scared or confused and has taken the time to reach out for help, it is important that they receive compassionate advice and feel supported every step of the way.

What has been the most meaningful or eye‑opening part of your volunteer experience so far?
In many ways, the internet has revolutionized our lives. However, when it comes to information about celiac disease (and other medical conditions), it has also muddied the waters. On one hand, it is very easy to find information about organizations such as Celiac Canada and local support groups. On the other hand, there is an overwhelming amount of misinformation that can be genuinely dangerous.

This experience has reinforced for me the importance of continuing to address misinformation and to challenge those who say “a little won’t hurt,” or who scaremonger to the extent that people with celiac disease feel they can never eat outside their own homes.

What drew me to want to volunteer
I finally discovered the Canadian Celiac Association more than two decades ago, after muddling through the gluten‑free diet on my own for almost a year. I think I lived mostly on peanuts! The products I eventually found at the time were not very satisfying. The only exception was Kinnikinnick gluten‑free English muffins—sorry to say they’re no longer as good.

I started with the Toronto Chapter, hoping they might know about better gluten‑free food, and soon became the local representative to the national board—mostly because I was willing and no one else wanted to do it. At the first meeting I attended, I looked around and decided they needed newly retired me. There was so much to do and so few people to do it. Many were stuck in old habits that had stopped being productive. I wanted to make a difference and truly change how important work got done.

Why do I continue to volunteer
It is immensely satisfying to see the growth that has taken place over the years. Celiac Canada has become a professional organization thanks to exceptional staff, strong leadership, and dedicated volunteers. I love working with and for them, and I’ve made some good friends along the way.

Back in 2001, I didn’t know a single other person with celiac disease. Now, I have an entire community. Over time, I’ve also learned so much from it—about government, governance, food science, research, and more.

How does volunteering make a difference in the community
It’s about shared experience, as well as the opportunity to put your skills to new use. We’ve all experienced the overwhelming dread that comes right after diagnosis, the learning curve, and the mistakes along the way. We know what it feels like after accidentally eating gluten. We can empathize with those who feel socially isolated or unsupported by family.

We’ve learned a few tricks and have tips for surviving—and even enjoying—eating out and travelling. We know that reading labels is key, and we help the newly diagnosed learn how to do it. We help people become self‑sufficient and take control of their own health. Doctors and dietitians don’t know how to do this unless they’ve been through it themselves.

We teach, comfort, listen, and advise as needed—and this work is incredibly rewarding.

What has been most meaningful or eye‑opening
What I have found most meaningful over the years is the tremendous progress that Celiac Canada has made and continues to make in the four pillars of education, awareness, advocacy, and research. I am so proud of the expertise, creativity, and perseverance they continually bring to getting meaningful work done. Recent advocacy initiatives around safe food in institutions, as well as affordability and tax issues, especially stand out. We’ve gone from bake sales to breakfasts with MPs on Parliament Hill!

Most eye‑opening? The amount of misinformation and outdated old wives’ tales still circulating on the internet and in support groups. The anxiety that arises when inaccurate, scare‑mongering advice is passed on as fact—and the number of people who rely on “somebody told me” as their gold standard for reliable health information.