NEWS

Lake Norman author Ann Campanella received the 2024 Silver Medal for her memoir, Celiac Mom, in the Non-Fiction Health/Medical Category in the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards.

Campanella’s memoir, a “go-to” resource in the gluten-free community, tells the story of her daughter’s celiac diagnosis at the age of five and the family’s subsequent transition to a gluten-free lifestyle.

“I’m honored to receive this award and especially pleased to help raise awareness about the condition of celiac disease,” says Campanella.

Celiac Awareness Day is September 13, 2024. It recognizes the birthdate of Dr. Samuel Gee, the doctor who first published information about celiac disease, a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack itself in the presence of gluten.

One percent of all Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease, according to Beyond Celiac, and up to six percent of Americans have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Campanella, a celiac advocate since her daughter Sydney’s diagnosis, shares celiac-safe food and gluten-free lifestyle on her Instagram account @glutenfreeforgood. She has gained over 5,000 followers in the past four years, and one of her reels went viral. “I had no idea I would become an influencer,” she says. “I just wanted others to understand more about this condition.”

The Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest features thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from independent authors to NYT best-sellers and is one of the largest book award contests on the internet. Readers’ Favorite has earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins.

“When the right books are picked as winners we pay attention,” says Karen A., Editor for Penguin Random House

Celiac Mom is available for purchase at Main Street Books in Davidson. You can learn more about Ann Campanella on her website.