Parasol’s Projects in the News
Washington DC (April 27, 2012)
Loretta Jay consulted with US Representative Tim Ryan’s (D – OH17) office to develop the language of HR 4972 Gluten in Medicine Identification Act of 2012. The proposed legislation will require adequate labeling of the source of inactive ingredients in medicine to protect those following a medically required gluten-free diet. It is endorsed by all of the national celiac organizations: American Celiac Disease Alliance, National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Sprue Association and Gluten Intolerance Group.
Ambler, PA (November 16, 2011)
Loretta Jay is the Project Manager and co-Primary Investigator in the first scientific research in the area of gluten in medication. Jay is a consultant to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) and she has worked on behalf of the organization addressing the problem of unlabeled gluten in medication; the Food and Drug Administration awarded NFCA $50,000 for this research study. Partnering with Jay on the study is Dr. Robert Mangione, Professor and Dean of Pharmacy at St. John’s University. FDA Funds Gluten in Medications Research.
Ambler, Pennsylvania (June 17, 2011)
Loretta Jay is faculty member of Gluten in Medication training program for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited continuing education (CE) course is free for participants and is dedicated to the topic of celiac disease. Read More.
Philadelphia, PA (September 29th, 2010)
The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) (www.CeliacCentral.org) and Continuing Medical Education expert, Impact Education, LLC (www.impactedu.net), have joined forces to offer primary care providers the valuable education needed to support improvement in outcomes for patients with celiac disease.
Fairfield Sun, November 20, 2008:
Happy Thanksgiving… But What’s in the Gravy? by Bill Bittar.
This Thanksgiving a growing number of families will be checking for additives in their turkeys and the ingredients in the stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce to ensure there are no allergens that could make some dinner guests sick. Read More.
Stamford Advocate, Norwalk Advocate and Greenwich Times, September 19, 2008:
Residents Bring Health Needs to the Floor, by Brian Lockhart.
HealthFirst Connecticut Authority, appointed by the General Assembly last year, has been charged with recommending to state lawmakers before year’s end ways of providing affordable, quality “universal health care” to all residents. Loretta Jay, of Parasol, testified about the high cost of allergen-free food, noting it costs $9.56 to buy a gallon of rice milk. She said that the selection of these foods is not optional, and she noted that medical dietary restrictions are not included in insurance companies’ disease management protocols. Read More.
Fairfield Citizen-News, June 4, 2008:
Striding Toward a Cure for EGID by Alison Walkley.
Fairfield’s Parasol is proud to have been a sponsor of Connecticut’s EOS Walk on May 17, a benefit for people afflicted with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. EGIDs make it difficult to eat, the sufferer usually having multiple allergies to food, among other problems. Read More.
Connecticut Post, April 23, 2008:
Watching What they Eat, by Eileen Fischer.
At this evening’s FLAAG meeting, Loretta Jay…will discuss strategies to empower children on restricted diets. “One of the philosophies I have when supporting children with food allergies, is 50 percent is keeping them physically safe and 50 percent is keeping them emotionally healthy. That’s challenging,” she said…”Partnership and knowledge are the keys to success, both with our children and [their] caretakers,” Jay said. Read More.
New Haven Register, May 29, 2007:
Celiac Group Fights Battle for Awareness by Pam McLoughlin.
Many groups undertake campaigns to raise awareness for their cause, but the Greater New Haven Celiac Group has an extra reason for such a campaign: 97 percent of those who have the disease remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. “Very frequently, a patient brings it (the disease) to their physician’s attention,” said Loretta Jay…” Read More.
Stamford Advocate, Norwalk Advocate and Greenwich Times, May 15, 2007:
Breaking the Celiac Cycle by Beth Cooney.
Here are facts Loretta Jay suspects you may not know about celiac sprue, an allergy or intolerance to wheat gluten that made her and her kids sick with a long list of strange symptoms before they stopped eating it. (And almost immediately got better.) Read More.
WTNH-TV Channel 8, May 1, 2007
Loretta Jay was interviewed live by Sonia Baghdady during the noon News Show about celiac disease, the gluten-free diet and Connecticut’s fourth annual Celiac Walkathon.
Jewish Ledger, March 27, 2007:
Gluten-free Foods a Boon to Celiac Sufferers, by Stacey Dresner.
For many people, especially carb lovers — Passover can be a difficult holiday: no bread, no pasta or other chometz for eight long days. But for people with a serious autoimmune disease called celiac disease in which they cannot eat gluten, the protein in wheat, barley, rye and oats — Passover is a time when they can find many gluten-free foods on their local supermarket shelves. Read More.
Fairfield Citizen News, January 24, 2007:
“How I Survive and Deal with this ‘Thing’ Called Celiac Disease” by Ellie Stepanskiy.
Jennings School Kindergartener Stepanskiy won CSA/USA, Inc.’s Elementary Division Essay Contest. Read Ellie’s essay.
Fairfield Citizen News, January 24, 2007:
“Coping With Celiac”, by Cassandra Heller
Five-year-old Fairfield native Ellie Stepanskiy probably knows more about celiac disease than your average American. Read more
Connecticut Post, May 18, 2006:
“Against the Grain” , by Amanda Cuda
Keeping her family healthy is challenging for Loretta Jay Stepanskiy. The 39-year-old Fairfield mother of two and her children all have celiac disease. The illness is a genetic disease that leaves one unable to digest gluten, the protein in wheat, barley, rye and oats. Read more.
Fairfield Citizen News, November 22, 2005:
“Bring These Healthy and Tasty Alternatives to the Table” by Karen Kosminoff
It’s getting to be that time of year again – the supermarket freezers are stocked with turkeys and bread and stuffing mixes are flying off the shelves. … For those who can’t eat the traditional Thanksgiving feast because of food allergies, Loretta Stepanskiy may have a solution. Read more.
Fairfield Citizen News, April 23, 2004:
“Proper Diet Key to Controlling Celiac Disease” by Jessica Papini
Eating no wheat, barley, rye and oats is not a new fad diet but a way of life for a person with celiac disease, in which on has to live a life free of gluten. To bring attention to the disease and to raise money, the inaugural Connecticut Celiac Walkathon will take place… Read more
Westport News and Fairfield Citizen News, January 22, 2003:
“Baby Love: New Mothers and Babies Invited to Educational Luncheons” by Carol King.
When Laura Ellwanger of Fairfield gave birth to her son, Aidan, three months ago, she felt that getting out of the house and interacting with other new mothers was imperative. Babies 101 offered precisely what she was looking for. Read more
Fairfield Minuteman, November 14, 2002:
“Luncheons offer new moms food for thought” by Lynne Weber
Good food and inspiring conversation can be hard to come by during those first sleepy weeks of new motherhood. Hoping to get new moms out of the house for a little of both, former social worker Loretta Jay recently launched Babies 101… Read more
Connecticut Post, November 14, 2002:
“Life After Childbirth … what mom and your doctor never told you about post-pregnancy.” By CHRISTINE M. COONEY, Correspondent. In this article about Sylvia Brown’s book, The Post-Pregnancy Handbook, the author recommends programs like Babies 101 to help deal with the challenges of being a new parent.
News Channel 12, November 4, 2002:
Loretta Jay, founder and president of Parasol, was interviewed live on News Channel 12 about Babies 101. Rebecca Surran and David Smith conducted the interview for Channel 12′s Daytime Edition program. Ms. Jay spoke about child safety and some of the many challenges that new parents experience. She explained that Babies 101 provides parent education for moms and dads, as well as reduces isolation by helping new parents meet one another and make new friends.
Connecticut Post, September 05, 2002:
Babies 101: Program helps answer parenting questions and brings new moms together By CHRISTINE M. COONEY, Correspondent. If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to spend time with your newborn, then pencil in Babies 101, a six-part series of educational luncheons beginning Tuesday. Read more
