News Release from Anaphylaxis
Canada
New research shows food allergy
is an increasingly important public health issue.
With summer holidays and children’s
camps now underway, greater awareness
and education is needed.
Toronto, July 20, 2010 –
A new Canadian research study shows that serious food allergies
affect up to 7.5% of Canadians, representing 1.9 million individuals.
The study - Surveying Canadians to Assess the Prevalence of
Common Food Allergies and Attitudes towards Food Labelling
and Risk (SCAAALAR) – conducted by a Canadian research
team lead by Dr. Ann Clarke, was published last month in the
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. (The study was
supported by AllerGen NCE Inc. and Health Canada.)
"This study highlights that more and more
Canadians must to learn to live with the daily challenges
of serious food allergy,” said Laurie Harada, Executive
Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and herself the mother of a
teenager with multiple food allergies. "It also reaffirms
the importance of being vigilant and knowing what to do in
the case of a reaction."
As summer is now underway and plans for family
holidays and children’s camps unfold, understanding
the seriousness of food allergies is a critical step to ensuring
a safe and happy time for all. As the number of children with
food allergies rises, so too does the need for many people
to be prepared to respond to an allergic emergency. In fact,
more than 50% of Canadians know someone with a food allergy.
While allergic individuals must take responsibility for their
condition, awareness and support of the community are key
to keeping people, especially children, safe.
Anaphylaxis Canada recommends some key proactive
measures to help lessen the risk of a life-threatening allergic
reaction. By following a few simple steps, everyone can enjoy
a safe summer.
For individuals and parents of children
with food allergies:
• Bring your own food
• Read ingredient labels
• Wear MedicAlert® identification
• Carry an epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen® or
Twinject®) at all times; and have a back-up auto-injector
if possible
• If you are travelling know the location of the closest
local hospital or emergency services
For families, neighbours, camp counsellors
and members of the community:
• Ask your guests in advance about any food allergies
• Have a complete list of ingredients for all foods
readily available
• Avoid cross-contamination of foods and wash dishes/utensils
thoroughly
• Know how to use an auto-injector in case of an emergency"Anaphylaxis
Canada hopes this new information will stimulate a wider,
better informed and more empathetic discussion on food allergies
and their effect on families,” added Harada.
For more information please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting
For Anaphylaxis Canada
(c) 416-996-0767/ Chris_Holcroft@yahoo.com
News Release from Anaphylaxis Canada
Anaphylaxis
Canada welcomes Parliament's declaration
of May as Food Allergy Awareness Month
"It means so much to me" - Sara Shannon,
whose daughter Sabrina died of an allergic reaction
Toronto, May 4, 2010 –
Anaphylaxis Canada applauds Parliament’s motion recognizing
Food Allergy Awareness Month and will be commemorating the
occasion by promoting a number of initiatives intended to
support the 1.3 million Canadians who live with food allergies.
This is the first year such a month has been designated in
Canada and will now be a permanently recognized occasion.
Several other countries including the US, UK, Italy, New Zealand
and Australia have similar declarations.
"The declaration of Food Allergy Awareness Month is
a significant step in the ongoing effort to educate the public
about food allergies," said Laurie Harada, Executive
Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and herself the mother of a
teenager with multiple food allergies. "We are thrilled
that all political parties united to support this motion and
thank MP Cheryl Gallant for moving the motion."
Food allergy is a growing public health issue in Canada. More
than fifty percent of Canadians know someone with a food allergy.
While allergic individuals must take responsibility for their
condition, awareness and support of the community are key
to keeping people, especially children, safe. Without treatment,
anaphylaxis, the most severe form of an allergic reaction,
can cause death.
In the visitor’s gallery to watch Parliament vote on
the motion was allergy advocate Sara Shannon. Sara’s
daughter, Sabrina, had her own advocacy efforts tragically
cut short by a fatal anaphylactic reaction in 2003 when she
was just 13 years old.
" This means so much to me," said Sara Shannon,
"and it would have meant so much to Sabrina. In her short
life Sabrina experienced many parts of Canada, from the mountains
of British Columbia to the beautiful city of Montreal. She
would want everyone to share in this country’s beauty
and possibility and would therefore be very pleased that the
serious issues around food allergies are getting attention
from our federal lawmakers."
Anaphylaxis Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated
to helping those at risk for anaphylaxis and those who care
for them. We are committed to creating a safer world for people
with food allergies through research, education and advocacy.
More information can be found at www.anaphylaxis.ca.
For more information please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting for Anaphylaxis Canada
416-996-0767 / Chris_Holcroft@yahoo.com
To access a PDF of this press release please click
here.
Dear friends,
I know that many of you are upset with the article "It’s
just nuts". I am, too. As you know, I lost my only child,
Sabrina, to an allergic reaction when she was 13. My daughter,
an advocate from an early age, would have been extremely disappointed
that adults at Chatelaine made light of a children's health
issue. She would have wanted them to learn more about the
facts and Sabrina's Law.
You can see my letter which I've asked Anaphylaxis Canada
to post on its website. Please feel free to share my letter
with others.
Click here
to view my letter:
I would like you to help me keep my promise to Sabrina to
educate others about food allergies.
Please share your thoughts on the article with the executives
of Rogers Publishing, who publish Chatelaine magazine:
Mr. Brian Segal
President & CEO
Rogers Publishing
brian.segal@rci.rogers.com
Ms. Kerry Mitchell
Vice-President & Publisher
Consumer Publishing Group
kerry.mitchell@rci.rogers.com
Copy to:
Ms. Maryam Sanati
Maryam.Sanati@chatelaine.rogers.com
I would appreciate if you could copy me as well.
Thank you –
Sara Shannon
Sabrina’s Mom & Allergy Advocate
sara.shannon@sympatico.ca
Anaphylaxis Canada Press Release
Anaphylaxis Canada hopes article
from medical journal slows advance of "myth” theory
November 16, 2009, Toronto - A
newly published article provides further evidence that the
prevalence of food allergies among children is increasing.
The article, "Food Allergy Among Children in the United
States” appears in the December issue of Pediatrics,
a US medical journal. According to the study, 3.9% of children
under 18 had a food allergy, an 18 percent increase from 1997-2007.
In addition, visits to ambulatory facilities related to food
allergies nearly tripled between 1993-1997 and 2003-2006.
While the evidence is based on American studies, Canadian
trends with respect to the percentage of children affected
by food allergy are thought to mirror those of the US, given
similarities in lifestyle. A food allergy prevalence study
initiated by AllerGen, the Allergy, Genes and Environment
Network and co-sponsored by Health Canada, is expected to
be released next year.
Anaphylaxis Canada, the national non-profit advocacy organization,
hopes the new report will help debunk the growing trend in
some quarters to question the prevalence and severity of food
allergy. The latest example is from an article in the December
issue of Chatelaine magazine entitled "It’s just
nuts” which infuriated many families with children at
risk of anaphylaxis, including Sara Shannon who lost her daughter
Sabrina to an anaphylactic reaction in 2003. An
open letter from Sara to Chatelaine’s publishers
is posted on our website at http://anaphylaxis.ca/content/whatsnew/hot_topics.asp
"Peanut allergy is not a myth”, says Laurie Harada,
Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and the mother of
an allergic teen, "nor is allergy to many other foods
that are a staple of North American diets. Publication of
this study is the latest evidence that food allergy and the
life-threatening reactions it can cause is a growing public
health concern.”
The results of this study do not come as a surprise to Anaphylaxis
Canada. For more than a decade, the organization has been
responding to public concern over allergies with a number
of initiatives including working with provincial ministries
of education to develop anaphylaxis management programs in
schools, advocating for changes to Canada’s food labelling
regulations and launching a special website for youth with
food allergies.
"Anaphylaxis Canada will continue to work with families,
schools and communities to develop reasonable measures to
deal with the reality of increasing food allergy among children,”
said Harada. "The bottom line is about keeping our kids
safe”.
Anaphylaxis Canada is a non-profit organization created by
and for people at-risk of anaphylaxis. We are committed to
creating a safer world for people with food allergies through
research, education and advocacy. Our approach to reducing
the risk of anaphylactic reactions in both children and adults
is based on self-management, community engagement, understanding
and respect. For more information please visit www.anaphylaxis.ca.
To arrange an interview or for more information, please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting, for Anaphylaxis Canada
416-996-0767
Chris_Holcroft@yahoo.com
Anaphylaxis Canada is pleased to inform you that we have
submitted a formal letter to the editor of Chatelaine magazine
outlining the issues and concerns we have with the article
entitled "It’s just nuts”, appearing in
the December 2009 issue of the magazine.
A copy of our rebuttal letter can be found here: Chatelaine
Rebuttal
The December issue of the magazine is now available on most
newsstands and we encourage you to read the article and submit
your letters or comments directly to the magazine at http://en.chatelaine.com/english/contact/index.jsp?page=14
We have also begun a thread on the magazine's online discussion
forum under the "health” section. Our comments
and the threads can be found here: http://community.chatelaine.com/advansis/
In commenting on this article we encourage you to be factual,
respectful and provide as much direct, personal perspective
as possible. We hope that our letter will provide the
magazine and its writers with a better perspective on the
seriousness of food allergies and the need for a collaborative
effort within our communities to help provide a safer environment
for all those at risk.
Beatrice Povolo
Director, Programs & Services
Anaphylaxis Canada
416-785-5666
Elections are a valuable opportunity to raise awareness with
political parties about anaphylaxis and the food safety challenges
those at-risk and their families face.
Anaphylaxis Canada is engaging in the election campaign on
behalf of our members by creating a questionnaire on some
key issues (allergy testing, education and daycare policies)
and asking the major political parties (Liberals, NDP, Green
Party) for their responses.
We are pleased to inform you that all three parties answered
our questionnaire. Their responses are posted below for you
to review. We encourage you to consider these responses as
part of your voting decision.
Liberals Response (pdf)
NDP Response (pdf)
Green Party Response (pdf)
To find out who the candidates are in your riding or for more
on the election please visit the Elections BC website at:
www.elections.bc.ca.
Thank you.
Anaphylaxis Canada
"Sting
led to a hornet’s nest of trouble"– Dr.
Hummel
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629539
"Baker’s
flour allergy a recipe for career disaster"–
Scott Dion
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629545
"When
reading the label can save a life"– Lee Parpart
& daughter & 6-year old Bridget Wadden
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629547
"Research
promising, but solution is still years away" –
Shelly Mackie & 8-year old Charlie Mackie.
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629548
"New
website warns teens, young adults" – Kyle Dine
& 18-year old Bridget Yard
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629546
"A
star’s message to allergic teens" – Lauren
Collins
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629546 (right hand
side)
"Creating
allergy action plan soothes a mother's anxiety" –
Karen Danard & 14-year old Issac Eng
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/article/629544
A motion moved by MP Cheryl Gallant received all party support
in the House of Commons on April 28, 2009. The motion is also
a result of efforts by MP Gerard Kennedy. We thank all parties
for their support of this declaration.
This is the first year that we have had this designation made
in Canada. To commemorate this week we have a number of initiatives
planned to help increase awareness of managing food allergies
and educating the community on the issues faced by those at
risk for anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis Canada launch of new teen website:
http://www.whyriskit.ca/
Check out the first website of its kind in Canada dedicated
to providing resources and tools for pre-teens, teens and
young adults living with severe allergies. Official launch
date: May 6th, 2009
Toronto Star special report on Allergies & Asthma
Special feature to be published on May 7th, 2009
Today's Parent Award
Anaphylaxis Canada is proud to have been selected by Today's
Parent magazine for their "Reader with a Cause"
award for the month of May. Thank you to Laurie Prentice,
an Anaphylaxis Canada member, for nominating us for this award.
Check out this months issue for more details.
Support Group Grants
Anaphylaxis Canada is pleased to offer a grant to all our
subscribing support groups to help fund local initiatives.
For all current group leaders please contact us for more information
on how to apply.
To join a local support group in your area visit http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/content/programs/services_support.asp
Be an Allergy Ambassador in
your community. Here's how:
Log on to the Anaphylaxis Learning Centre at http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/
to view our new educational webcast series. Share the link
with others in your community who may be interested in learning
more about managing severe allergies (i.e. teachers, caregivers,
family & friends).
Be prepared:
• Learn how to use an epinephrine auto-injector properly.
Teach others as well. Go to http://www.epipen.ca/
or http://www.twinject.ca/
for more information.
•Wear MedicAlert identification. For more details visit
http://www.medicalert.ca/
•Nominate your school or daycare facility for their
work on keeping children safe. Tell us how they have made
a difference in your community. Click here to submit your
story: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=p5vTeMh73fFMe48UqfygXw_3d_3d
•Issue a challenge! Ask your family and friends to 'live
in your shoes' for a day. Assign them an 'allergy' to live
with for 24hrs. To download allergy brochures go to http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/fa-aa/index_e.html
•Work with your school or daycare to ensure they have
their anaphylaxis policies in place and are up to date.
•Become a member of Anaphylaxis Canada today! Visit
http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/
to see how and what benefits you can receive through your
membership.
•Spread the word and help educate others on the importance
of managing anaphylaxis in your community. Click here to order
brochures, posters or bookmarks free of charge: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=r3JBRJlih97wT_2fOVdnArMg_3d_3d
However you choose to promote Food Allergy Awareness Week,
get involved and make a difference in your community!
Thank you.
Anaphylaxis Canada
There have been a number of recent media articles written
regarding the management of food allergies within the community.
These articles have raised some serious concerns regarding
the perception of allergic individuals and how they are impacted
by this condition. Anaphylaxis Canada felt it was necessary
to provide feedback on these stories and the impact they have
had on the overall allergic community.
Please see the media articles listed below and the accompanying
responses from Anaphylaxis Canada.
Media Articles:
1) Canadian
Free Press- December 9, 2009, "Is
fear of nut and other food allergies creating hysteria?"
Anaphylaxis Canada
Response:
2) Ottawa Citizen- January 30, 2009, "Allergy
scares are making people nuts".
Anaphylaxis
Canada Response:
3) National Post- Saturday, February 7, 2009,
"Food
bans: healthy or hysterical"
Anaphylaxis
Canada Response:
It has recently come to our attention that the Government
of British Columbia is proposing significant amendments to
the "Allergy” Section of the Naturopathic Physicians
Regulation. These changes would permit naturopaths to administer
challenge tests for allergy as well as provide desensitization
treatment to patients, responsibilities that should only be
performed by trained physicians. (The document is available
at http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/leg/pdfs/Naturopathic_Physicians_Regulation_-_proposed_amendments_Dec_12-2008.pdf
- refer to sections 5 (l) k and l.)
Anaphylaxis Canada has written the Minister of Health seeking
an urgent meeting to discuss the proposed amendments in our
own letter as well as in a joint letter with a number of allergy
and medical associations. Both letters can be downloaded:
Anaphylaxis
Canada letter to B.C. Health Minister (pdf)
Letter
to the Honourable George Abbott (pdf)
As individuals with a vested interest in safety for people
at risk of anaphylaxis, we are calling on you for your support.
We must work to ensure all individuals are given the right
scientific evidence for diagnostic testing and treatment for
allergy.
For your convenience, we have provided a template letter below
which you can adapt with your own personal comments. Please
send your comments by email to:
Minister of Health Services, George Abbott:
hlth.health@gov.bc.ca
cc: info@anaphylaxis.ca
MS WORD template of Letter
to Minister of Health Services George Abbott (doc)
As this matter is urgent, we would appreciate your voicing
your concern today!
AC
Submission - Food Labelling - Nov. 28/08 (pdf)
Appendix
A - Focus Groups Summary (pdf)
Appendix
B - Webcast Participant Summary (pdf)
We are pleased to inform you of an announcement made this
afternoon by The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health,
related to labelling requirements for specific food allergens,
gluten sources and added sulphites in pre-packaged foods.
As things move forward in the regulatory process we will continue
to work with government and other stakeholders to address
food labelling issues in Canada and will keep you updated
on this important initiative.
Click here to see Health Canada’s press release:
Government
of Canada Announces Proposed New Labelling Requirements to
Protect Health of Canadians
Download our press release:
Grocery Shopping
to be Safer for Millions of Canadians: Clearer food labelling
requirements welcomed by Anaphylaxis Canada
On behalf of the team at Anaphylaxis Canada, thank you all
for making your voices heard. Together, we are making a difference!
Laurie Harada
Executive Director
Anaphylaxis Canada
Anaphylaxis Canada has joined forces with other groups to
urge Prime Minister Harper to pass food labelling legislation.
As you know, this issue has been stalled for years. We have
provided for your reference a letter to the Prime Minster
which was sent by all of the allergy associations in Canada
and the Canadian Celiac Association. You can also see the
PowerPoint presentation we made as a delegation to Health
Minister Tony Clement’s senior staff in April 2007.
With your letters and personal stories, we can make a difference
in keeping this issue "top of mind”. We are also
working with Allergic Living magazine in a letter writing
campaign. Go to their website – www.allergicliving.com
– and click on the box Food Allergen Label Law –
where you can submit a letter to the Prime Minister. Together,
we can make a difference in keeping this food labelling issue
"top of mind”.
Presentation given to Health Canada
Food Labelling Presentation April 11/07
Letter to Prime Minister from Associations
Letter to Prime Minister
June 11/08
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