Amazing Annie Allergy Awareness Walk KICKOFF event

Walk to the Moon and Back

Annie’s Allergy Awareness Walk Kickoff

ELMHURST – Of course you can’t walk to the moon and back, but if Shelly LeGere has anything to do with it, the sky’s the limit when it comes to awareness raised about the seriousness of severe allergic reactions. A kickoff to benefit the To The Moon and Back/Annie LeGere Foundation, named for LeGere’s late daughter, Annie, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Diplomat West in Elmhurst from 7-11 p.m.

Organizers hope the adults-only event raises allergy awareness and funds, and jump-starts the first annual Annie’s Allergy Awareness Walk to be held in late April. The walk will start at Sandburg Middle School, where Annie, who died after anaphylactic shock last August, was to graduate eighth grade this year.

LeGere’s mission began one night last August when her 13-year-old daughter Annie called her from a sleepover saying she was having trouble breathing and wanted to come home. By the time LeGere raced over to the house with Benadryl in hand, Annie was already on the floor barely breathing.

LeGere, an operating room nurse, asked the first-responding police officer if he had anything to help, but to no avail. Annie died nine days later.

Now, LeGere is raising allergy awareness and funds to aid in research and education.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1997 and 2011, there was a 50 percent growth of food allergies in children.

This dramatic increase is one of the reasons LeGere wants to see laws implemented to make it mandatory for first responders and schools to carry epinephrine auto injectors, such as Epi-Pen.

“I need to do something – something big – in order to make some sense out of this,” LeGere said.

The kickoff at the Diplomat West will feature raffle prizes and silent auctions, including signed sports memorabilia from the Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox. Appetizers and a cash bar are available. Pre-registration for the Annie Allergy Awareness Walk to be held April 23 will also be available. Supporters can purchase kickoff tickets for $50 each and get more information by visiting www.amazingannie.org.