A Fun (and Easy) Way to Raise Money for Celiac Research
Join me in participating in a virtual 5K fundraiser!
May is my favorite time of year. It finally feels like spring here in New York City—and it just so happens to be Celiac Awareness Month as well! There are so many fun gluten-free and celiac-themed events taking place this time of year, which always makes me feel special.
One such event: the Step Beyond Celiac 5K! Each May, Beyond Celiac organizes a virtual 5K to raise funds that go toward accelerating treatment options and a cure for celiac disease.
I’ve participated in the virtual Step Beyond Celiac 5K every year since I started volunteering for the organization back in 2021. And, I signed up to participate again this year as part of the Beyond Celiac ambassador team and will be fundraising over the next few weeks.
Curious about the Step Beyond Celiac 5K? Keep reading to learn more about the event and how to sign up to participate yourself and/or donate to someone else who’s participating!
What is the Step Beyond Celiac 5K?
The Step Beyond Celiac 5K is a virtual 5K that you can run or walk from wherever you’re located. (I’m not a runner, so I always choose a pretty spring day to walk the 3.1-mile distance.)
The event is organized annually by Beyond Celiac in May. The goal of the event is to raise funds to accelerate celiac treatments and a cure. (Learn about what drugs are currently being studied and how far they are in the clinical trial process.)
This year, Beyond Celiac’s fundraising goal is $200,000. All funds raised through the event are used to support the organization’s research efforts to improve the quality of life for those living with celiac disease.
How do you sign up for the Step Beyond Celiac 5K?
Signing up is easy: You can register for the Step Beyond Celiac 5K here. It costs $30 to register—and if you sign up by May 12th, you’ll even receive a T-shirt!
When you sign up, you can decide on a fundraising goal for the event. My goal is $500 every year, and last year I ended up exceeding that amount!
Additionally, you’re encouraged to share details about your celiac story on your profile so that others know why you’re participating and how a treatment would impact your life.
Once you’ve signed up and filled out your profile, I encourage you to share your fundraising page with friends, family, and social media followers to reach your goal.
How do you donate to a Step Beyond Celiac 5K fundraiser?
If you’re not able to participate in the 5K but would still like to donate, you can do that too. Simply click on the “Donate” button on the top right-hand corner of the event page to make a donation.
I’m also fundraising for the Beyond Celiac ambassador team if you’d like to make a donation directly to my team to help us reach our fundraising goal. Here’s the link to my profile where you can donate.
Your support goes directly to research that will improve the quality of life for me and so many other people living with celiac disease. Any amount is greatly appreciated, so thank you in advance!
Are you participating in the virtual 5K this year? Let me know!
Images of previous 5K participants courtesy of Beyond Celiac