Food Allergy Conferences Begin This Week-end

FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) is kicking off their conferences in Baltimore this Saturday, April 2. On April 16, the Chicago conference is scheduled in Oak Brook Illinois and the west coast conference will be in Anaheim California on June 11. In 2012, the Baltimore (east coast) conference will be in Tarrytown NY, so you may want to plan accordingly.

I have found these conferences to be helpful during our food allergy journey. The speakers range from doctors sharing new treatment and research information to teens talking about how they deal with food allergies every day. At lunch, attendees sit with "their zip code" in order to meet people who live close to you. Discussion of local schools and support groups often takes place during this meal.

There are special sessions for teens (ages 11-18), school nurses and adults with food allergy. Other sessions focus on 504 plans and preparing allergy-friendly foods.

Check out the schedule and consider whether a FAAN conference may help you better deal with food allergy this year.

Easy Fundraising for Food Allergy Research

Here's an easy way to raise money for FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network)- rate restaurants.  AllergyEats counts on peer review to provide a listing of allergy-friendly restaurants across the United States. The more people who participate in the ratings, the more valuable it will be for all of us. The database currently lists over 600,000 eating establishments.

To help, simply go to AllergyEats, sign up, and rate restaurants. For every restaurant rated, AllergyEats donates money to FAAN.

Simple and effective. I like it!

Another great thing to do today- CampTag is currently #32 in the Pepsi Good Idea Contest. Vote every day until the end of October for the "good idea" of opening food allergy friendly camps across the country!

Now, don't you feel empowered about all the good things you can do for those with food allergies?

Enjoy your day.

Food Allergy Show on Lifetime Televisions's Balancing Act

Tomorrow morning, Tuesday, Sept. 21, The Balancing Act, on Lifetime will feature a show on food allergies. The show airs from 7-8 am ET/PT. Set your TiVo, your DVR, or plan to grab a cup of coffee to watch it live. The program will feature Leandro de Armas, this year's Heart of FAAN Child Ambassador, and an interview with a father who lost his son as the result of a fatal food allergy reaction. FAAN’s Vice President of Research and General Counsel, Maria Acebal, will also speak. A demonstration of how to use an epinephrine auto-injector is part of the presentation.

This show is a great opportunity to inform and educate grandparents, friends and others about food allergy. Spread the word!

Food Allergy Friendly Basball Games and Food Allergy Contest

More and more peanut allergic individuals can sing, "Take me out to the ball game!" thanks to efforts of many to encourage ballparks to provide seating free of peanuts at some games. The Cleveland Indians are the latest to offer this opportunity. They're even power-washing and thoroughly cleaning that are of the stadium prior to the start of the game.

Part of the money from the tickets sold at the Indians Sept. 26 game will go to FAAN for food allergy research.

Go team! For more peanut-aware games, visit my friend Jennifer B's list.

Last day to enter: Ian's Party Give-Away. Be sure to join in the fun for an opportunity to throw a party with treats from Ian's.

Food Allergy Message from Trace Adkins

Country music star, Trace Adkins, has posted a public service announcement on YouTube. While it doesn't give much new information to those of us food allergy veterans, it is a fun to link to share with friends and family.

Check it out and pass it on!

Food Allergy Awareness Week

It's that time of year again. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is holding the 13th annual awareness week May 9-15. This year's title is Respect Every Bite and FAAN's site offers some great ways to commemorate Food Allergy Awareness Week. Check it out for sample presentations directed to elementary schools, teens or corporate settings. Find a link to petition your state for a proclamation. Download and print resources to educate others about food allergy.

Go ahead...May 9 will be here before you know it. Plan now!

Food Allergy Conferences

Have you registered for "Every Bite Counts", the annual conference sponsored by FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network)? This year marks the 17th year of this conference. A fourth location has been offered, Las Vegas. I always wondered why there wasn't a location available for those on the left coast. This new venue offers an opportunity for those who live in west to attend the conference without traveling to the East coast or Chicago.

The other exciting news about the conference is that multiple tracks will be offered. Those of us who attended in the past noted that the conference was virtually the same each year. Food allergy veterans did not need to hear about basic food allergy information. Now, newbies can attend a session for the newly diagnosed, while those of us who have been at this for awhile can attend a session about letting go and facing new challenges.

The conference also offers a Food Allergy Expo, which is new this year. I also notice that the registration fee is new as well. It's gone up. Members pay $100 for the conference. Grandparents and babysitters are $75.

Check out the information from FAAN and consider attending. It is a great opportunity to meet the big-wigs in the food allergy area and I always enjoy the luncheon, where everyone sits by zip code, allowing you to meet others in your area who deal with food allergy.

Also, check out this YouTube video for other benefits to attending the FAAN Conference.

Food Allergy Website Gets an Update

It's colorful, trendy and sleek.

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has launched a brand new website. It's much more user friendly for those of us who have been at this food allergy thing for awhile. I also think the links for the top eight allergens listed across the top will be more helpful for people who are new to food allergy.

Check it out. What do you think?

The Heart of FAAN Ambassador Program

Do you know a child who should be the face of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network? Mine said, "no way", but I'm sure some of you may know a food allergic child who would be a perfect fit.

Seven-year-old Nadia DiNatale is one child who hopes to be the FAAN ambassador. She says, “It is also very important for all people to work together to help others to understand food allergies, and food allergy safety, so that people with food allergies can live safe and happy lives.”

Well said, Nadia!

If you want to nominate a child for this important role, check out the Heart of FAAN Ambassador Program page. Children need to be between the ages of 3-11 and a nomination requires a $100 tax deductible donation.

Anyone can vote for a child, with a $10 donation, through Feb. 14, 2010.

Have You Taken The Food Allergy Survey?

If you're a FAAN member (and if not, why not?), be sure to take their survey. It's 56 questions long, but many of those are "yes" or "no" answers or responding to a question on a number scale. It appears that FAAN is gathering info about how their members use them as a resource, as well as what other ways members get food allergy information.

I hope to see the results at some point. I think that for many years, FAAN was the only game in town for food allergy information. Now there is a great deal of information on the web. FAAN remains one of my most trusted sources, though.

Biking for Food Allergies

I love this story! Bill Arendt (Willie) is pedaling for food allergies. Willie left Los Angeles on May 10 and he plans to bike to Boston- 3415 miles to benefit FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network). He charts his progress online every night. Make a monetary pledge or just leave a note of encouragement. Check out the full story.

How cool is that????