SHOP FOR A CAUSE AT SCARLETT ALLEY Just in time for holiday shopping, Scarlett Alley gift gallery (241 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA) hosted a special Shopping Party (December 2, 2009).  Fifteen percent of sales during the event benefit the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.  Shop online at www.scarlettalley.com and use the code “CSF” from now until Thursday, December 31, 2009 to help support the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) celebrated its fifth anniversary with its “Appetite for Awareness” event at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on September 24. The event furthered the NFCA’S mission of raising awareness and funding for celiac disease, an allergy to gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye. The event featured chefs from 35 highly acclaimed Philadelphia restaurants that demonstrated their gluten-free cooking capabilities while competing for Gluten-Free Dish of the Year in an Iron Chef-like competition. Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider, who is a member of the NFCA Board of Directors, donated the use of the Wachovia Center for the event. The evening featured live music, wine, gluten-free beer, an auction, raffle, and an evening of fun. “It is our goal to educate as many doctors, chefs, and members of the media as possible so that the millions of people with celiac disease who are suffering needlessly can be diagnosed and reclaim their lives,” said NFCA Executive Director Alice Bast. “It is estimated by the National Institute of Health that one in 133 people in the US has celiac disease. Of these 3 million, only 150,000 have been diagnosed to date. Due to lack of awareness, the average time for diagnosis in the US is an appalling 10 years, a length of time that NFCA seeks to reduce drastically.”