Join Our 2025 Congressional District Days Campaign – Meet with your Legislators and Make Celiac Disease a Priority in Congress

What are District Days?

Every year for the month of August, Members of Congress head home to their Congressional districts for a month of work away from Washington D.C., providing the opportunity to meet with their constituents and learn what issues are most important to their communities. They then take this information back to D.C., using it to inform the policy decisions that they’ll make for the year ahead.

Throughout August, we are encouraging patients and supporters to schedule meetings with their legislators to share why the government should make celiac disease a funding, policy, and public awareness priority. This is a great opportunity to meet with your Members of Congress and remind them why celiac disease research is essential to finding treatment and eventually, a cure.

How to Schedule Meetings

Scheduling Meetings with your Members of Congress is easier than you think! Always remember that legislators are in their positions to serve their constituents, and it’s incredibly important for them to learn about issues that impact their communities. Follow the steps below to schedule your District Days meetings today.

  • Finding Contact Information: Your Members of Congress are easily located by typing in your address here: congress.gov/members/find-your-member. Once you’ve identified your members, navigate their websites to determine which state offices are closest to you. You will then either call or email those local offices to request a meeting with your legislators.
  • Timing: It can take 2-4 weeks to secure a meeting. Be sure to request your meetings as soon as possible and offer multiple dates of availability to give yourself the best chance of securing a meeting.
  • My Member isn’t available to meet. Now what? Some members will have packed schedules during the month of August and may not be able to accommodate your meeting request. That’s ok! Request instead to meet with their district staff. Members’ staff serve as extensions of their bosses, and they will relay your requests to your legislators. They are also great connections to make for future requests!
  • Need Help? Contact our policy team at advocacy@celiac.org for assistance with identifying your members of Congress or other scheduling questions.

Meeting Talking Points

Prior to your August meetings, we will provide participants with a “Meeting Guide” cheat sheet with all the information you need to hold a successful meeting with your members. The most important component of every conversation is something that each of you are very well equipped to discuss: sharing your personal story with celiac disease! Many members of Congress have limited knowledge about the impacts of celiac disease, and it’s your job to share your celiac journey so that they leave the meeting with a much better understanding of the effects of this serious disease. We also ask that you discuss the Foundation’s top two policy priorities for 2025, listed below.

  • Increased celiac disease funding at NIH: The federal government is the largest source of funding for medical research needed to identify the causes of celiac disease, develop treatments beyond the gluten-free diet, and ultimately find a cure. Historically, federal funding for celiac disease has been limited, but thanks to our work with our Congressional partners, funding for celiac disease at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has increased to $9 million in FY 2021 and FY 2022, and $10 million in FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025. This funding must be renewed annually, and we fight each year to ensure that these resources continue to be available. Read our FY26 NIH White Paper to learn more.
  • Include celiac disease in the Department of Defense PRMRP: The Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) supports medical research projects that are relevant to enhancing the health, care, and well-being of military families and the American public. While celiac disease is a disqualifying condition for military service, its prevalence has increased among service members, veterans, and their family members. Through our membership in the Defense Health Research Consortium, the Celiac Disease Foundation strives to preserve funding for this important program. Included for the first time ever in the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program FY 2023 Topic Areas, and again in both FY 2024 and FY 2025, funded research will benefit those suffering from celiac disease by generating strategies to prevent it. This funding must be renewed annually. Read our FY26 PRMRP White Paper for more information.

District Days Giveaway

As a thank you for participating, the first 50 advocates to meet with their Congressional offices in August will be sent a swag box, including branded Celiac Disease Foundation merch as well as product from our proud sponsor Nairn’s!

To confirm your eligibility for the giveaway, please send proof of your completed meeting (picture at the office, video with your Member, email confirmation screenshot, etc.) to our policy team at advocacy@celiac.org.

Thank you!

An essential piece of our advocacy is sharing patient perspectives with lawmakers—and that is why we need you and your voice. Thank you to everyone for participating in this campaign and making a difference for our community!