Gluten-Free Living (GFL) magazine and the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) have a shared vision: to promote the advancement of celiac disease research and spotlight celiac and gluten-free champions in our community. With this vision in mind, GFL is proud to introduce passionate and dedicated CDF Student Ambassadors from across the U.S. Below, meet Sophie Wallack, a dedicated 13-year-old from Westwood, California, who is increasing celiac awareness while baking awesome gluten-free goodies.
Celiac Disease Foundation Student Ambassador
Hi, I’m Sophie Wallack, 13, and I became a Student Ambassador for
Celiac Disease Foundation because I want to help raise awareness of celiac disease.
My younger sister and I were diagnosed with celiac disease three years ago. My sister was tested for celiac disease because she experienced frequent stomachaches. Following her diagnosis, I was also tested. I was disappointed to discover that I also had celiac disease because I had no obvious symptoms and love to eat pizza, pasta, cookies and bread. [However] I am now happily living a gluten-free life and am incredibly grateful that my sister no longer suffers from stomachaches.
I became a student ambassador because I want to help fund raise for Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF). I love to bake so I created an online bakery to raise money that I hope will one day contribute to a cure. I am primarily baking for friends and family, but it feels good to do something for CDF.
I also became a student ambassador because I want to help raise awareness of celiac disease. It is very frustrating when I visit a restaurant and realize the restaurant staff doesn’t know about celiac disease and can’t tell me which foods are gluten free.
I love discovering new gluten-free bakeries. I recently visited San Francisco and was so happy to visit the Mariposa Baking Company.
It was incredible to visit a bakery that proudly advertises itself as gluten free, and amazing to be able to order anything I wanted.
When I’m not baking, I love to play golf and hang out with my friends.
Check out other Celiac Kids in Motion and our Kids’ section to find everything from fun recipes to practical tips and advice for children, adolescents and teens!
