WHEREAS, Philadelphian Alice Salomon Bast founded the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in 2003, and her contributions to Philadelphia and the entire celiac community have changed millions of lives; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bast's own diagnosis of celiac disease ignited her passion to help the estimated three million Americans with the disease; and
WHEREAS, The NFCA has a dual mission: to raise awareness of celiac disease and reduce the time to diagnosis, and to raise funds for education and facilitate research that will improve the quality of life of those who suffer; and
WHEREAS, Under Ms. Bast's leadership, the NFCA has worked aggressively to impact the rate of diagnosis of celiac disease which has gone from a staggering average of eleven years to as low as six years among the one in 100 people it effects; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bast worked with the FDA to define a standard for gluten-free. It is because of Ms. Bast's tireless efforts over the last decade that the words gluten free and celiac disease are a normal part of our vocabulary, and that these products are appropriately labeled and readily available to consumers, allowing safe eating by celiac sufferers; and
WHEREAS, Under Ms. Bast's leadership, the NFCA developed the Gluten-Free Resource Education and Awareness Training (GREAT) program, which trains members of the restaurant industry on how to effectively offer patrons safe gluten-free food options. Because of this program, sufferers of celiac disease are able to dine in restaurants without worrying they are going to become sick; and
WHEREAS, Alice Bast has made the city of Philadelphia a national leader in addressing celiac health. Ms. Bast inaugurated Philadelphia as the first Gluten-Free Neighborhood in America through the NFCA's annual Appetite for Awareness event. She also worked with Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Nemours/Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children, Paoli Hospital, and St. Barnabas Healthcare System to create celiac centers which treat patients throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bast's passion for health and education has shined light upon a disease that went undiagnosed for decades. Because of Ms. Bast and the NFCA, many Philadelphians live happier, healthier, and more productive lives; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Award was created in 1921 by Edward William Bok and is given each year to a citizen of the Philadelphia region who, during the preceding year, acted and served on behalf of the best interests of the community; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bast will receive the prestigious Philadelphia Award during Celiac Awareness Month, on May 17th, 2011, at a ceremony at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it recognizes and honors Alice Salomon Bast, the ninetieth recipient of the prestigious Philadelphia Award, for her service as president and founder of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Alice Salomon Bast as a sincere expression of the City Council's gratitude and appreciation for her tireless and dedicated work.
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