Stony Point, NY – An 8-year-old Stony Point girl is using creativity to help educate others about celiac disease while raising money to support research and public awareness.
Liliana Armida recently spent several weeks decorating hundreds of seashells with colorful glitter and hand-painted designs before placing them along the beaches of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Each shell included a QR code directing anyone who found it to a fundraising page benefiting the Celiac Disease Foundation. The project transformed a simple beach scavenger hunt into an opportunity to learn about an autoimmune disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.
Liliana was diagnosed with celiac disease two years ago. The condition causes the body’s immune system to react to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, the immune response damages the lining of the small intestine, making it more difficult to absorb nutrients. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, dizziness, digestive problems, anemia, and slowed growth in children. The only currently accepted treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
According to her family, Liliana wanted to find a positive way to share her experience while helping others better understand the condition.
“I made the shells to spread awareness with people with celiac disease,” Liliana told News 12.
The fundraising effort quickly exceeded expectations. The family’s original goal was to raise $500 for the Celiac Disease Foundation, but donations surpassed that target shortly after the project gained attention.
Liliana’s parents say their daughter’s diagnosis changed many aspects of daily life. They described learning to navigate grocery shopping, meal preparation, school activities, restaurants, and travel while avoiding accidental exposure to gluten.
“It’s traumatizing to us as well, trying to figure out how to navigate the future,” her father, Nicholas Armida, told News 12.
Her mother, Jamie Armida, explained that one of the greatest challenges is preventing cross-contamination, which can occur when gluten-free foods come into contact with foods or surfaces containing gluten.
“Gluten can spread like glitter,” she said, using the comparison to illustrate how easily small amounts of gluten can transfer from one surface to another.
That analogy also inspired the project’s artistic theme. By covering each seashell with bright glitter, Liliana hoped to create eye-catching keepsakes that would encourage people to scan the QR code, learn about celiac disease, and consider making a donation.
The Celiac Disease Foundation, the nonprofit supported by Liliana’s fundraiser, works to advance research, increase public awareness, improve education, and advocate for individuals living with the disease. Funds raised through campaigns like Liliana’s help support educational initiatives and scientific research aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for those affected.
For Liliana, however, the project represents more than fundraising. She said seeing people support the campaign has been rewarding and has encouraged her to continue helping others.
“I feel really happy because I reached my goal and that people were helping me get to my goal,” she said.
Health experts estimate that millions of people worldwide live with celiac disease, and many cases remain undiagnosed because symptoms can vary widely or resemble those of other medical conditions. Increased public awareness, advocates say, can help people recognize symptoms earlier and seek appropriate medical evaluation.
Through a combination of art, community engagement, and fundraising, Liliana’s project has drawn attention to a condition that often goes unnoticed while demonstrating how a small act of creativity can contribute to a larger public health conversation.
