Alaska

It is wonderful to see individual states supporting celiac disease awareness. This April, Alaska became the latest to pass a resolution recognizing May as Celiac Awareness Month. Governor Sean Parnell and Senator Cathy Giessel are applauded for their efforts to advance celiac disease awareness. 

Gov. Parnell & Sen. Giessel with the Celiac Awareness Month Resolution

(Juneau) – A resolution to proclaim May 2012 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month, SCR 16, was signed by the governor, Sean Parnell, today.

Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, an advanced nurse practitioner, sponsored SCR 16 after being approached by a constituent of hers, Brandy Wendler, also a nurse practitioner, who was diagnosed 4 years ago. Together, they wanted to bring greater public awareness to a disease that is much more common than many realize, and often goes undiagnosed. Mrs. Wendler reported, “Statistics tell us that 1 in 133 people have Celiac Disease, which is three million Americans, yet 97% of them do not know it.” May is also Read More »

Brandy Wendler Mrs. Alaska International 2012

Anchorage, Alaska: Brandy Wendler is a familiar face in the gluten-free world. Just over a year ago, she captured our hearts when she won her first Mrs. Alaska title. Since then, she has been pursuing her goal to raise awareness for Celiac Disease and gluten intolerances. She has had the opportunity to travel cross-country making appearances and educating about a disease that affects over 3 million Americans. She has also started her own non-profit organization, A Spoonful of Wellness, and designed gluten-free menus for local restaurants in Anchorage. Brandy was diagnosed with Celiac Disease over 4 years ago and says her goal is to “decrease the number of people who have this disease and don’t know it.”

Recently, Brandy received the opportunity to continue serving the community in a unique way by being elected for a second title, Read More »

Brandy Wendler, the new Mrs. Alaska, has celiac disease.

April 8, 2011, Anchorage, Alaska: Brandy Wendler, wife of JohnRoss Wendler, pilot officer of Elmendorf Air Force Base who is serving in Japan’s relief effort, was crowned Mrs. Alaska United States 2011 in front of a packed auditorium at the Wilda Marston Theatre in Anchorage on Saturday, April 2^nd, 2011.  

Although the Mrs. Alaska pageant was Mrs. Wendler’s first time competing in a pageant, her passion for speaking about Celiac disease, a disease Mrs. Wendler was diagnosed with 3 years ago, stole the hearts of the judges and the entire audience. 

Mrs. Alaska United States is a prestigious and elite title, which requires each contestant to choose a Read More »

We will meet the third Thursday of every month from 6-8pm in the Harvest Cafe at Natural Pantry.

Meetings are located at 3801 Old Seward Highway Anchorage, AK 99503. My website is www.livingwithoutgrain.org. There, people can find more information about the group meetings and Alaska resources.

Contact: Brandy M. H. Wendler
E-mail: Brandyhumphrey@gmail.com 
Phone: 678-357-2550.