WHAT:          2010 Buffalo Walk for Food Allergy

 WHERE:        17 Meadowview Place,  Delaware Park,   Buffalo, NY  14214

 WHEN:          Saturday, August 14, 2010, Registration 11:00am, Walk Time 12:00pm

 WHY:            Raise money for research and education

                      See Buster Bison kick off the walk

                      Get a balloon animal from Mr. No

                      Music and refreshments(water and fruit)

                      Meet other families with food allergies and share stories, recipes and ideas

  HOW:           Register at www.foodallergywalk.org/buffalo_NY10            (registration is free!)

 Note:            Please go to the above website if you would like to just sponsor a walker, team or the walk site

                    Questions?? Please email, buffaloallergywalk@gmail.com

 Thank you to our sponsors:  Jubilee, Wegmans, Dey, SoyNut Butter, Enjoy Life Foods, Sunbutter

I called the theatre in advance, they didn’t expect it to be crowded that evening. We had our pick of great seats & yet we were nowhere near anybody!! Eddie dressed in his Sunday best- it was so cute. I told him he needed to wear pants and long sleeves, so he took it upon himself to look handsome!

We ordered a soda, the manager washed his hands before pouring it for us – the boys looked so cute in the folding seats, sharing a soda!

They lasted the entire movie! I CANNOT WAIT for TOY STORY 3!!!

Thank you again Buffalo News and Charity Vogel for supporting our cause!

A special thank you goes out The Buffalo News and Reporter, Charity Vogel, for their (her) continued support and providing us with the ability to reach the entire community.

We are grateful for the great variety of information captured by the survey and excited to convey them to you below:  

• 133 respondents completed the survey as of April 30^th, 2010. The allergies ranked in this order: 

• 76%        Peanuts
• 65%        Tree Nuts
• 47%        Egg
• 37%        Milk
• 15%        Shellfish
• 14%        Soy
• 12%        Wheat
• 8%          Fish

• A large proportion of the families are dealing with multiple food allergies, presenting serious nutritional concerns.

• According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, “food allergies are on the rise. The incidence of food allergy is highest in young children – one in 17 among those under age 3.”  The ages, of the respondents or minors suffering from Food Allergies according to this survey, range from 15 months old to 36 years with:
  • 3%          Under 2 years of age
  • 26%        Between 2 and 3 years of age
  • 18%        Between 4 and 5 years of age
  • 34%        Between 6 and 9 years of age
  • 16%        Between 10 and 15 years of age
  • 2%          Between 16 and 21 years of age
  • 2%          Greater than 22 years of age

• The great majority of food allergic patients suffer from environmental and pet allergies

• Food allergies presented in similar ways to many families;
  • Eczema
  • Hives
  • Swelling
  • Diarrhea
  • Itching
  • Rashes
  • Vomiting

• In babies under one year of age, many families experienced additional symptoms:
  • Oozing eyes
  • Puss
  • Low weight gain
  • Colic
  • Spit up more similar to vomit
  • Blood in stool
  • Labored breathing

• An overwhelming and upsetting 34% of respondents have suffered anaphylaxis, 14% greater than once, with one respondent greater than 10 times!
  • Most often exposure to milk caused the anaphylactic reaction, with peanuts causing the second greatest amount of anaphylactic reactions in the sample
  • Further concerns have arisen as to the permanent, long term effects on the body

• On a more positive note the majority of siblings do not tend to suffer from food allergies. Of those that do, milk and peanuts are the most prevalent.

• Regarding outgrowing allergies, further research needs to be conducted. However, it seems the chance of outgrowing at least one food allergy increases if a child suffers from a number of food allergies

• On the topic of physicians;
  • Most parents reported receiving limited or no support from their allergist. Most of the concern arises from the allergist’s ability to “hand them a few sheets of paper, script for blood work and an Epi Pen and sent on my way.” Through this survey process we hope to correct this issue.
  • Pediatricians seem to lack the ability to spot the warning signs of food allergies: eczema, vomiting, hives, failure to thrive, etc. They are supportive to the families, but lack knowledge of food allergies.

• The Day Care/Pre School question has expanded to include school, based upon the overwhelming outpouring of information presented in the responses.
  • The majority of parents are concerned for their child’s safety. They also commented, schools lack the proper training to manage the allergies to the parents’ comfort level.
  • Many parents have chosen to send their children to peanut free daycares/pre-schools and are extremely concerned for Kindergarten and beyond.

• Public awareness needs significant improvement, 85% of respondents agree and 93% feel NYS and Erie County are not providing the proper support.

• If services were made available to Food Allergy Families, 93% are interested and 79% would like someone to provide assistance in their home.

• The major concerns expressed by Food Allergy Families:

1. School
2. Safety
3. Ostracism/Normal Life
4. Education/Awareness/Understanding
5. Proper Nutrition
6. Restaurants
7. Food Labeling/Safe Products
8. Definitive Answers
9. Cross-Contamination

We gathered a great deal of information from this survey. We hope you will continue to help us! Many further questions have arisen from the results!

Enjoy FA Awareness Week!

Thank you to everyone who supported us through posters, emails, articles, word of mouth, and to those of you who completed the survey!

Best wishes,

Chris Popek

Food Allergy Support Services

Food Allergy Support Services, Inc. is planning on hosting a 2nd annual Food Allergy Awareness Night at Red Robin – both locations – Orchard Park and Amherst!  Join us on Tuesday, May 11th for our 2nd Annual Awareness Night! We would like to add a new twist this year, please contact me if you are interested in donating door prizes or hanging posters!!!! allergypeanutmom@yahoo.com

Red Robin has been a champion in our struggle with food allergies. They provide food allergy specific menus to their guests. These orders are flagged in their computer system and delivered in their own  special yellow basket. Don, the Manager of the Orchard Park location and Joe, Manager of Amherst, have both done an extra special job to enhance the lives of some very special food allergy patrons!

“Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., was founded on four core values: Honor, Integrity, Continually Seeking Knowledge and Having Fun. These core values are the foundation for every Red Robin decision from creating its mouthwatering gourmet burgers to hiring energetic Team Members and even to deciding new restaurant locations. They also are the foundation for how the company treats its Team Members, Guests and communities. Red Robin’s core values can be found embroidered on the sleeve of every Team Member’s uniform, which serves as a constant reminder of what makes the company unique and special.

Red Robin also has an unparalleled and extraordinary approach to Guest service known as Unbridled Acts. There are thousands of stories of Red Robin Team Members who live the company’s values through random acts of kindness they bestow upon restaurant Guests and other Team Members. Each Unbridled Act®, regardless of size, is a true testament to Red Robin’s amazing culture and the care it takes for each and every Guest.

Red Robin’s core values and unbridled atmosphere is at the heart of the company’s energizing culture and its nearly 32,000 Team Members across North America.”  http://www.redrobin.com/aboutus/

We hope you will join us in celebrating Food Allergy Awareness Week, on Tuesday, May 11th at Red Robin! YUM!

Please remember, safety is our first concern, if you don’t feel comfortable dining with your allergic child, suggest some co-workers dine out in support of your efforts!

http://www.peanutallergyepidemic.com/

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