Runners raise awareness of celiac disease

HARLINGEN — Joanna Moreno and her fellow runners breathed heavily yesterday morning as they cooled down.

“It was hard but it was good,” said Moreno, 41, one of several employees at Harlingen Medical Center who’d shown up for the Celiac Disease Awareness 5K Run/1 Mile Walk at Texas State Technical College.

TSTC and Harlingen Medical Center hosted the event for Dr. Jason Phillips.

“Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder,” said Phillips, a gastroenterologist at HMC.

He was the premier sponsor of the event.

About 100 people participated in the run/walk, and registration fees would be used to create a celiac disease awareness support group.

The group is important to sufferers because they must carefully monitor their eating habits. They must especially avoid gluten, the protein in wheat.

Participants did the run and walk for different reasons.

“We do several runs a year,” said Laurie Trevino.

“I liked the way it was set up,” added her mother, Dalia Trevino.

Those in the health care industry and food service could especially appreciate the importance of events to increase awareness about celiac disease.

“It makes you feel good,” said Ricardo Puga, chef at HMC. “We cook food without sodium. Some patients can’t have caffeine.”

This detailed understanding of individual dietary needs made him especially appreciative of accommodations necessary for those with celiac disease.

He enjoyed the run.

“It went good,” he said. “I am used to walks that last eight to 10 minutes. This was short.”

Adelita G. Vela, 28, said the route was very well laid out for everyone to follow.

“It was very easy,” she said. “There were tons of signs. It was very safe. You knew where you needed to turn.”

Numerous tables were set up in a central location at the TSTC campus, including Planet Fitness and Salud y Vida. There also free checks for blood pressure, blood sugar and vision. A celiac disease education expo was also held for the public.