Heart of FAAN Child Ambassadors Ready for FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy
FAIRFAX, VA., Aug. 10, 2011 /NewsRelease/ - Most 10-year-olds don’t think twice about the foods they eat. But Austin Nuesch and Erica Friedman can’t be so carefree – their food allergies require them to be meticulous about every single bite. Both children are helping lead the way toward improving the lives of individuals with food allergies through their involvement with the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN™) Walk for Food Allergy.
Thousands Across the U.S. Will Lace Up to Raise Funds to Support Food Allergy Community
Austin and Erica are FAAN’s 2011 Heart of FAAN Child Ambassadors, representing FAAN throughout the year and raising awareness of food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that affects as many as 1 in 13 or nearly 6 million children in the U.S.
The FAAN Walk for Food Allergy kicked off in Delaware in May, and goes into full gear this month with a Walk on Aug. 13 in Buffalo, NY. More than 40 Walks across the U.S. are scheduled this year, ending Dec. 3 in Tempe, Ariz.
FAAN raised approximately $2.4 million last year through the Walk program, and hopes to raise $3 million in 2011. Local communities benefit from the Walk through community outreach grants provided by FAAN to help fund food allergy education efforts.
“My family participated in the inaugural FAAN Walk in Fairfax, Va., back in 2004. My then three-year-old daughter, Nina, was so proud when our family won a trophy for being the top fundraiser. Nina is now nine and looking forward to lacing up her walking shoes again this year!” said FAAN CEO Maria L. Acebal. “With the number of children affected by food allergies rising, it’s more important than ever to educate the public about the severity of food allergy. The FAAN Walk for Food Allergy not only raises awareness, but enables FAAN to better serve kids like Austin and Erica, my daughter Nina, and the millions of other individuals living with food allergies. When it comes down to it, that is why I walk, because I love someone with food allergies.”
A recently published study revealed that food allergy among children in the U.S. is more significant than previously thought; nearly 40 percent of children with food allergies have had a severe reaction, and 30 percent have multiple food allergies.
Austin, age 10 of NJ, is allergic to more than a dozen foods – his serious allergic reactions began when he was a baby.
“People need to know how serious food allergies are,” Austin said. He will participate in various Walks in NJ and Penn.
Erica, age 10 of Delmar, NY, was diagnosed as a toddler with allergies to peanuts, beef, and lamb.
“I think people are starting to understand, but if they don’t fully get it, kids and people with food allergies could really get hurt,” Erica stated. She will participate at the Walks in Buffalo, NY on Aug. 13; Albany, NY on Sept. 24; Boston, Mass. on Sept. 25; and Westchester, NY on Oct. 1.
The national presenting sponsor for the 2011 FAAN Walk for Food Allergy is Dey Pharma, L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc.
“Mylan and Dey are very proud to be the national presenting sponsor of the FAAN Walk events for the fifth consecutive year,” said Lloyd Sanders, Chief Operating Officer, Dey Pharma. “We are deeply committed to raising awareness about the seriousness of food allergies. Our employees will be present at all of the events and look forward to walking alongside Erica, Austin, and Nina, and the many other individuals who are at risk for anaphylaxis, in support of this important cause.”
To register or donate, visit www.foodallergywalk.org.
About FAAN
Founded in 1991, FAAN (the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network) is the world leader in information about food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that afflicts approximately 12 million Americans, or one out of every 25. A nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, Va., FAAN has approximately 22,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and 58 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. To become a member, and for more information, please visitwww.foodallergy.org.
About Dey
Dey Pharma, L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL), is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription drug products for the treatment of respiratory diseases, severe allergic reactions and psychiatric disorders. The company puts patients first and facilitates efficient, cost-effective partnerships with customers. For more information, please visit www.dey.com.
Contacts
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
Jennifer Roeder
Director, Marketing and Media Communications
703-563-3061 direct, 301-639-4811 cell
jroeder@foodallergy.org
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