Stony Point 8-year-old raises celiac disease awareness with glitter-covered seashells
Liliana Armida, of Stony Point, spent weeks decorating hundreds of seashells with colorful glitter designs before hiding them along the beaches of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, for visitors to discover.
An 8-year-old Rockland County girl is turning her love of art into a mission to raise awareness and money for people living with celiac disease.
Liliana Armida, of Stony Point, spent weeks decorating hundreds of seashells with colorful glitter designs before hiding them along the beaches of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, for visitors to discover.
Each shell included a QR code directing people to donate to the Celiac Disease Foundation, helping turn a simple beach treasure hunt into a fundraiser for research and education.
Liliana was diagnosed with celiac disease two years ago. The autoimmune disorder causes the body to react to gluten and can lead to symptoms including bloating, fatigue and dizziness. She says creating the shells was her way of helping others better understand the condition.
“I made the shells to spread awareness with people with celiac disease,” Liliana told News 12.
What began as a creative project quickly exceeded expectations. The family’s original fundraising goal was $500, a milestone they have already surpassed.
Liliana’s parents, Jamie and Nicholas Armida, say living with celiac disease has brought unexpected challenges for the entire family.
“It’s traumatizing to us as well, trying to figure out how to navigate the future,” said Nicholas Armida.
Jamie Armida says preventing cross-contamination has been one of the biggest adjustments.
“Gluten can spread like glitter,” she said.
For Liliana, the project is about much more than fundraising. She hopes her artwork inspires others to help support people living with celiac disease.
“I feel really happy because I reached my goal and that people were helping me get to my goal,” she said.
Want to help?
Those interested in supporting Liliana’s fundraising campaign or learning more about celiac disease can find additional information through the Celiac Disease Foundation.
