Governor Jan Brewer Helps Kick-Off National Food Allergy Awareness Week
AFAA Members Visit Governor's Office for Special Proclamation Presentation
(firmenpresse) - PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwire) -- 05/14/12 -- For some Arizona children certain foods can be life-threatening, causing reactions comparable to having ingested a poisonous substance. About 15 million Americans have food allergies, 9 million of which are adults and 6 million of which are children. That means that 1 in 13 U.S. children have a food allergy.
Today members of the Arizona Food Allergy Alliance (AFAA) kicked-off National Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 14 - 17, with a visit to the Governor's office, where she presented them with a proclamation that gives official acknowledgement of the week in Arizona.
"This means a great deal to our organization," said Lisa Horne, President & Founder of the Arizona Food Allergy Alliance. "The week serves to raise awareness about the growing number of children and adults who are impacted by this condition and the proclamation presentation was an ideal start to the week."
Eight foods cause 90 percent of all food allergy reactions in the U.S.: shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and wheat, with food-allergic reactions ranging from hives, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, swelling of the throat and the most severe reaction, anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis can be debilitating, and in some cases life-threatening. In fact, there is a Phoenix teen that has been recovering in a Phoenix care facility for the past year, working her way out of a coma after an anaphylactic reaction last spring.
Anaphylaxis involves two or more affected body systems, not just the throat. Symptoms have been known to vary in the same individual, and can appear among those affected. Reactions can usually be reversed with epinephrine if given in a timely manner.
Such an episode resulted in the death of a six-year-old Virginia first-grader earlier this year. In that instance, her symptoms were not recognized in time and there was not medication accessible to her.
Accidental exposure is the eminent threat that hovers in the minds of parents, especially those who must trust school officials or daycare center workers to recognize symptoms in time to help their child.
Food allergies are a chronic condition that needs constant vigilance. People who suffer from them need support and understanding. In fact, those with food allergies are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. To learn more about food allergies, access resources or to get involved visit .
About Arizona Food Allergy Alliance (AFAA). The Arizona Food Allergy Alliance is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by food allergy in the State of Arizona. We sustain the common interests of members through education, support, advocacy, and research. It is our goal to bring awareness, understanding, and safety within families and communities by providing educational resources, personal networking experiences, opportunities for community involvement, and funding for research. Thus, we hope that every person will connect, learn and succeed.
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Lisa Horne
President & Founder
602-410-5783
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Datum: 14.05.2012 - 17:55 Uhr
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