For the 2.2 million school-age children who have
food allergies and their parents, back to school
means educating classmates and parents before the
school year even begins.
In the school setting, avoiding food allergens can
be difficult because they're everywhere -- in the
cafeteria, on the playground, in the classroom. Food
is used in class celebrations, for art projects,
as a reward for good behavior, and in math and science
lessons. But if everyone learns how to Be a PAL:
Protect A Life(TM) From Food Allergies, we can keep
these children safe.
"Managing food allergies is a group effort," said
Anne Munoz-Furlong, Founder and CEO of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis
Network (FAAN). "Kids tell us they rely on their
friends to keep them safe. Some call them their best
allies and protectors."
Country music star Trace Adkins and his wife Rhonda
understand the challenge of sending a child who has
food allergies back to school, as their daughter
Brianna is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs,
and milk. "We believe it is all about education
and awareness. Once people understand food allergies,
it is easy to keep Brianna and other children safe," said
Trace Adkins. "We take the time to educate those
who are around Brianna," added Rhonda. "This
includes the children in her classroom and their
parents, the entire staff in her school, and the
education community within our county. We have found
that most people know someone who has food allergies
and want to learn as much as they can to keep that
person safe."
Even at age 11, Angela DiGuiseppe understands the
importance of watching out for her friends with food
allergies, like Julia Rocereta, age 11. "To
help Julia manage her food allergies, I do simple
things like -- at lunch -- remind people who don't
sit with us very often that Julia can't have some
of the foods they eat. If Julia gets something on
her she can't have, I take her to the bathroom and
make sure she uses extra soap," said Angela.
Julia is truly grateful for friends like Angela. "Every
time somebody brings in treats for their birthday
at school, Angela is always making sure I'm OK," said
Julia. "When Angela has her own parties, she
always makes sure I can have all the treats, including
the cake!" Angela received a PAL Hero award
earlier this year and says, "To me, it's important
to be a PAL because I know that every day I act as
a PAL, I'm making Julia's life safer. Who wouldn't
want to do that for a friend like Julia!"
There are five easy steps to Be a PAL:
1. Food allergies are serious. Don't make jokes
about them.
2. Don't share food with friends who have food allergies.
3. Wash your hands after eating.
4. Ask what your friends are allergic to, and help
them avoid it.
5. If a friend who has food allergies becomes ill,
get help immediately!
For more information on food allergies, or to access
FAAN's back-to-school tool kit, visit http://www.foodallergy.org.
ABOUT FAAN
Founded in 1991, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis
Network (FAAN) is the world leader in information
about food allergy, a potentially fatal condition
that afflicts about 12 million Americans, or one
out of every 25. A nonprofit organization based in
Fairfax, Va., FAAN has 30,000 members in the U.S.,
Canada, and 62 other countries. It is dedicated to
increasing public awareness of food allergy and its
consequences, to educating people about the condition,
and to advancing research on behalf of all those
affected by it. FAAN provides information and educational
resources about food allergy to patients, their families,
schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies,
the food industry, and government officials. For
more information, please visit FAAN at http://www.foodallergy.org,
http://www.faankids.org, and http://www.faanteen.org.
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
http://www.foodallergy.org
