FARE Walk For Food Allergy

Tens of thousands of people will gather at walks in nearly 60 communities nationwide, this fall, in support of family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors living with life-threatening food allergies. Join FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) and the food allergy community in Fairfield County to raise critical funding, for and awareness about this growing public health issue. The FARE Walk for Food Allergy in Connecticut will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, rain or shine. This family fun day will offer fun activities including face painting, lawn games, live music and arts and crafts featuring the Teal Pumpkin Project.

One Weston parent, Michele Pucci explains why she will walk: “When I think back to that day that changed our lives in April 2003 it still feels as if it was only yesterday . I will never forget our daughter eating that peanut
butter sandwich and how happy we all were because she had never liked peanut butter but now wanted one like her sister. Little did we know that 20 minutes later I would be calling 911 because she was coughing uncontrollably, red and swollen to twice her size . I was so scared and frightened for her . Hours later when we left Norwalk Hospital with our Epi-pens and a diagnosis of an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts I think I was numb. I didn’t know how I
was going to keep her safe and still have her lead a normal life . She was a beautiful little 41/2 year old child who had just had her world turned upside down . I was nervous for her to go back to her preschooland how she would be treated by her friends . Would anyone want to invite her to a birthday party or have her over for a play date ? I was now scrutinizing every ingredient on every box or carton looking for any trace of peanut oil or flour . I was determined to keep her world as normal as possible . I just had to figure out how and I did . Fast forward 13 years and my daughter is a Senior in High School ; has gone away to sleep away camp. In 12 months she will be a college freshman living some where in the United States taking care of herself. So I guess I have given her the tools to be able to live with her allergy and feel as if she is in control of it. My way of doing this was to educate myself and to advocate for my daughter that is when I became involved with FAI which is now FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education). For the last 20 years FARE has been dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families
managing food allergies through research , education, advocacy and awareness . I hope you willcome out and join us in our support of the 15 million Americans that includes 1 in 13 children who live every day of their live’s with food allergies.”

The 2014 FARE Walk for Food Allergy programs raised over $3 million. Participants can sign up individually or as part of a team. For more information, or to register or volunteer, visit www.foodallergywalk.org/connecticut2015 . Sponsorship opportunities remain available, enabling businesses to show their support for families who are managing food allergies.

ABOUT FAREFood Allergy Research & Education (FARE) works on behalf of the 15 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis. This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children in the U.S. – or roughly two in every classroom. FARE’s mission is to improve the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments. Our work is organized around three core tenets: LIFE – support the ability of individuals with food allergies to live safe, productive lives with the respect of others through our education and advocacy initiatives; HEALTH – enhance the healthcare access of individuals with food allergies to state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment; and HOPE – encourage and fund research in both industry and academia that promises new therapies to improve the allergic condition. For more information, please visit www.foodallergy.org and find us on Twitter @FoodAllergy, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.