Allergies come in all shapes and sizes ...
Just like allergy sufferers. And they are on the rise. For many people allergies can range from sniffling and sneezing to skin rashes to gastrointestinal issues. A certain percentage, however, have more than these uncomfortable symptoms to deal with. Anaphylaxis, a serious life-threatening reaction, causes approximately 1,500 deaths a year in the United States alone. Clearly, allergies are nothing to sneeze at!
Articles for Advocacy
Every year the Allergy Advocacy Association Action Awards honor individuals that personify our program of Awareness, Alertness and Action.
Action Awards Virtual Gala Rated a Fun-For-All Success!
By Jon Terry
November 15th, 2020
The Allergy Advocacy Association Gala was broadcasted virtually on Wednesday, October 21st. This year the theme of our Allergy Action Awards was a celebration of Halloween featuring "Tricks" rather than "Treats!" Since we were using the world wide web for the very first time we can’t say exactly how many people joined our celebration. We can only hope everyone else had as much fun as we did. Many thanks to one and all who helped make our Virtual Gala & Silent Auction so successful!
This year Brenda Tremblay acted hostess and EMCEE for our celebration. Ms. Tremblay is the (very early!) morning host at WXXI Classical 91.5 FM. Our association is very grateful to Brenda for taking time away from her day job to help our cause. She was a positively wonderful hostess; by wearing a series of very stylish (and humorous!) Halloween hats Brenda established a wonderfully whimsical mood. Brenda's contributions of her time and energy to our association are greatly appreciated!
The highlight of our gala was honoring Jared Saiontz and Syed Shahzad Mustafa MD with our Allergy Action Awards for 2020. Their activism and advocacy for families and individuals with life threatening allergies at risk for anaphylaxis serves as a power of example for everyone.
Dave Bloom at SnackSafely.com regularly provides timely information to families with life-threatening food allergies.
FDA Urges Voluntary Disclosure of Sesame….
….but FDA Falls Short at Protecting Allergic Individuals
By Dave Bloom
October 1 st, 2020
Earlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued long-awaited draft guidance regarding the danger of sesame to allergic individuals, urging manufacturers to clearly label for the ingredient. Once again, the FDA falls short in adequately protecting allergic individuals.
The incidence of sesame allergy has skyrocketed and is now the ninth most common food allergy in the US according to the American Association of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
PALFORZIA finally for sale on America's medication marketplace
In addition to changes for food packaging labels, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the very first therapy for treatment of peanut allergy.
The Story Behind the First FDA-Approved Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for Peanut Allergy
By Allergic Living
November 9th, 2020
When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new oral immunotherapy (OIT) for peanut allergy in children on January 31, 2020, it marked an important milestone. This biologic OIT drug, called PALFORZIA [Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-DNFP], became the first treatment approved by the FDA for people who are allergic to peanuts.
PALFORZIA can help reduce the severity of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to peanut. PALFORZIA may be started in patients aged 4 through 17 years old. Patients who turn 18 years of age while on PALFORZIA treatment should continue taking PALFORZIA unless otherwise instructed by their doctor. PALFORZIA does NOT treat allergic reactions and should not be given during an allergic reaction. Patients must maintain a strict peanut-free diet while taking PALFORZIA.
Today in America racial inequality is a great concern for everyone. This article shows immediate need for more research studies; only with accurate data can the food allergy community develop an effective program of action to aid indigent children and other minority children. They need improved access to appropriate childcare, safe food, medical care, and lifesaving medicine like epinephrine for them. Please see more details by clicking here.
Poor, Minority Children with Food Allergies Are Overlooked and in Danger
By Shereen Siewert
November 8, 2020
As Emily Brown stood in a food pantry looking at her options, she felt alone. Up to that point, she had never struggled financially. But there she was, desperate to find safe food for her young daughter with food allergies. What she found was a jar of salsa and some potatoes. “That was all that was available,” said Brown, who lives in Kansas City, Kansas. “It was just a desperate place.”
When she became a parent, Brown left her job for lack of childcare that would accommodate her daughter’s allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, and soy. When she and her husband then turned to a federal food assistance program, they found few allowable allergy substitutions. The closest allergy support group she could find was an hour away. She was almost always the only Black parent, and the only poor parent, there.
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