CCA HISTORY

National Presidents | Honourary Life Members | History of CCA

NATIONAL PRESIDENTS

• 2007-present - Janet Dalziel
• 2005-2007 - Kenn Tuckey
• 2001-2005 - Jean Gurjar
• 1999-2001 - Gillian MacDonnell
• 1995-1999 - Dr. Edita Bosak
• 1994-1995 - Gwen Shaver
• 1993-1994 - E Bud Cockerton
• 1991-1993 - Beverley Ruffo
• 1989-1991 - Pat Moffatt
• 1987-1989 - George Goldstein
• 1986-1987 - Doug Copp
• 1984-1986 - Michael Henderson
• 1983-1984 - Barbara Good
• 1982-1983 - Nigel McLeod
• 1981-1982 - Kay Ernst

HONOURARY LIFE MEMBERS

• 2008 - Shelley Case
• 2007 - Moshin Rashid
• 2006 - Ralph Warren
• 2004 - Connie Switzer
• 2003 - Jean Gurjar
• 2001 - Gillian MacDonnell
• 2000 - Marion Zarkadas
• 1997 - Ruth Penfond
• 1996 - Madeline Stead
• 1995 - Beverley Ruffo
• 1995 - Dr. A.G.F. Davidson
• 1993 - Mavis Malloy
• 1992 - Patricia Moffatt
• 1991 - Mary Smith
• 1990 - Valerie Leclair
• 1990 - Joyce Friesen
• 1988 - J. Alexander Campbell, Ph.D.
• 1986 - Michael Henderson
• 1985 - Frances Murphy
• 1984 - Kay Ernst

HISTORY OF THE CANADIAN CELIAC ASSOCIATION

1972 - How it all started

In the autumn of 1972, an adult with sprue and the mother of a seventeen year old celiac son met by chance. The adult was aware of the Coeliac Society in London, England. The young man was studying in Switzerland and had just written home stating that tasty gluten-free products were available on store shelves and included bread, cookies, cakes and pastry. These two pieces of information, together with the first hand knowledge of the difficulties encountered in procuring gluten-free products, caused positive action to be taken.(Adult - Mrs. Nora Reich; parent of celiac son - Mrs. Kay Ernst).

Later in the year, Mrs. Reich visited England and while there contacted the Coeliac Society in London. She brought back literature and a Coeliac Handbook produced by their organization. Meantime, Mrs. Ernst contacted pediatricians in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and proposed the establishment of a Celiac Society in Canada.

The idea was well received and Dr. D.L.A. Bastedo suggested that Mrs. Maxine Turner-Davis, a dietitian at the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital, be contacted to assist in the endeavour.

Before the end of the year, an appointment was sought with Dr. J.R. Hamilton, M.D., F.R.C.P.)C), Chief of Paediatric-Gastroenterology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, to ascertain his views on the proposed Celiac Society. Such an organization, he felt, would be very helpful to celiacs.

1973 - The beginnings of an organization

In January 1973, Mrs. Reich and Mrs. Ernst were interviewed on a Public Service Program on a local T.V. station. The subject discussed was celiac sprue, and it was announced that an organizational meeting would take place at the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital in February. Mrs. Isobel Burrows, a nurse on staff at the hospital volunteered her services and arranged for the meeting to be held in the Specialty Clinic Area.

Despite a blinding blizzard, many people arrived - most were parents of celiac children - all were anxious to know:

1. Where were gluten-free foods available? (at that time ingredient labelling was non-existent)
2. Was the disease outgrown? (to this question most had been given an affirmative answer by their doctor)
3. Were recipes available?

Because of the concern demonstrated by these people, it was decided to form an association.

More history of the organization will follow at a future date.