E-Greetings from the Allergy Advocacy Association

May 2022

Spring is here! And with it, folks get the opportunity to get outside, go to the park or playground, maybe go on a picnic. In this issue you can learn how in New Castle, NY, the community promotes greater awareness of food allergies as well as some simple steps to help keep folks safe in their parks and playgrounds. Here you can read about a recent research study, indicating that cesarean births are not linked to increased risk of food allergy during infancy. Sandra Fusco-Walker, a patient advocate for 20+ years, shares the story of her husband’s attack of anaphylaxis and why minutes matter. Having a life threatening allergy means you have to be vigilant. Now there is some help with the Allergy Amulet™ a wearable sensor device that alerts people to allergens in their food.

What is anaphylaxis? How would you recognize an anaphylaxis emergency? And would you know what are the right things to do? For many people, even those that have a life-threatening allergy, the answer is “NO!”

The Allergy Advocacy Association has a solution:
Our Epi Near You NY anaphylaxis emergency training program.
And it's VIRTUAL! Direct from the internet into your home or office!

Our virtual association would help provide:

Free state approved training presentation
New York State recognized certification
Assistance for public entities to obtain a non-patient specific prescription for emergency epinephrine
Our next Epi Near You New York free virtual seminar will be held on Thursday June 23^rd at 10am.

For more information, visit our Epi Near You NY webpage.

New Castle NY Unveils Signs in Parks Raising Food Allergy Awareness

Anyone with life-threatening food allergies always need to be vigilant about coming into contact with a potential allergen, even in the outdoors at a park or playground. In New Castle, New York the community has taken the steps to promote greater awareness of food allergies, along with some simple steps to help keep people in their parks and playgrounds safe.

New Castle NY Unveils Signs in Parks Raising Food Allergy Awareness

By Martin Wilbur
May 12^th, 2022

The Town of New Castle commemorated Food Allergy Awareness Week unveiling one of 10 signs in its parks and playgrounds reminding the public how they can protect those with food allergies. Pictured, from left, are Councilwoman Victoria Tipp, Chappaqua resident Stacey Saiontz, her son, Jared, Supervisor Lisa Katz and parent Heather Brown. Martin Wilbur photo

Patient Story: Why Minutes Count with Anaphylaxis

If you or a loved one is suffering from an anaphylaxis emergency, MINUTES MATTER! Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis; immediate administration is essential to saving lives. In this article Sandra Fusco-Walker, a patient advocate for over twenty years, shares her story of when her husband, who had no previous history of life-threatening allergies, suffered an attack of anaphylaxis. Her story is an important reminder that MINUTES MATTER!

Patient Story: Why Minutes Count with Anaphylaxis

By Sandra Fusco-Walker

As a patient advocate for 20+ years, I’ve met so many families who have lost loved ones to anaphylaxis. Those who died had one thing in common. They didn’t use epinephrine. Either they weren’t aware they had a severe allergy and never had a prescription, they forgot to carry it, or they thought they did not need it anymore.

National guidelines emphasize epinephrine is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis. Using it makes the difference between life and death … and minutes count.

Cesarean Births Not Linked to Increased Risk of Food Allergy during Infancy

In the food allergy world, there is continuing research to identify the cause of allergies. One area of research has been to look at the difference in allergy rates in infants born vaginally and those cesarean births. New research conducted by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), examines this issue with interesting results.

Cesarean Births Not Linked to Increased Risk of Food Allergy during Infancy

By Murdoch Children's Research Institute
May 12^th, 2022

Cesarean births are not linked to an increased risk of food allergy during the first year of life, according to a new study.

The research, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, found cesarean delivery, either with or without labor, or elective or emergency, compared to vaginal birth does not impact on the likelihood of food allergy at 12 months of age.

Amulet Launches New Food Allergen Sensor Device

To have a life-threatening food allergy means you must be vigilant. Reading labels, asking restaurant staff what the ingredients in a meal are as well as its preparation. And it’s on going; you don’t get a day off from your food allergies. But now a new product provides additional help in your quest to stay safe; the Allergy Amulet^TM described as “the world’s smallest and fastest consumer food allergen sensor that tests for common allergenic ingredients in seconds”.

Amulet Launches New Food Allergen Sensor Device

By News Wire ~ 3rd Party Press Release
2022/05/18

Amulet, the company making the world’s smallest, fastest, and sleekest molecular detection technology capable of sensing everything from pathogens in the air to pesticides in produce, today announces its official launch. Amulet is the company behind Allergy Amulet™, a consumer brand with a signature wearable that alerts people to allergens in their food, and Amulet Scientific™, a commercial brand that equips industry with a detection platform for identifying a range of molecular targets, including food toxins and environmental contaminants.