FAAN – Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network is ‘the world leader in information, resources, and programs for food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that afflicts as many as 15 million Americans, including approximately 6 million children. FAAN provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials.’ Their mission is ‘to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis.’ – www.FoodAllergy.org
Every year they hold the annual FAAN walk in different cities across the United States starting in May and going on till the end of year – http://www.foodallergywalk.org. The funds they raise is used to fund food allergy awareness, advocacy, education, and research programs. As they aptly put it, ‘We walk to save a life!’
That, for me is reason enough to take part in the walk and my family has done so for the past couple of years. Even my nieces take part and enjoy the festive atmosphere that accompanies these walks 🙂 The upcoming walk is in Ridgewood, NJ on Oct 23rd – the location closest to me and I am sooooo going to be there, yayy!
Check out the place closest to you at http://www.foodallergywalk.org. Taking part in the walk is a fun way to network, raise funds for a worthy cause and a fun-filled healthy way to spend a few hours with your family. FAAN has made it so eay to be part of this walk:
- If there is no walk close to you and you would like to help organize one – FAAN has an option for that through its Be a PAL Walk Program.
- If you want to be a remote walker, there is an option to walk in Alexander’s Home Town. Alexander is the beloved peanut allergic elephant.. So, walk 2 miles in a mall, park or neighborhood on Dec 10th. Be a part of the FAAN walk in spirit 🙂
- Of course, you could just make a donation to FAAN
There are different ways of signing up for the walk:
- Sign up as individual Walker.
- Create a team with family and friends.
- Join an existing team.
- Or, donate to a walker
This time many of FAAN’s national sponsors have interesting giveaways for attendees and fundraisers apart from the usual FAAN T-shirts which in itself are pretty cool to own!
Enjoy Life Foods (the very same company that makes yummilicious allergy-friendly baked goods) is offering a $250 gift certificate to the top fundraisers in each location. The winning team also enters a draw for an all-expenses paid 2- day trip for two to Enjoy Life’s headquarters 🙂
Dey Pharma (the company that manufactures EpiPen – the auto-epinephrine injector that keeps anaphylactic shock from a severe allergic reaction from becoming fatal) is offering an iPad giveaway at many of the walk locations. All the walk attendees need to show is an unexpired EpiPen in their posession. That’s pretty neat – aint it?! 🙂
Be a part of the movement that spreads awareness and keeps food allergy sufferers safe. Your support can potentially one day help anaphylactic shock due to food become a rarity.
Allergy Foodie 