National expert promotes food allergy awareness in UCS

Kyle Dine loves sports, dancing, birthday parties and camping.

He also has food allergies - and while he has to take precautions, it is not something that defines him.

“Food allergies are just a small part of who I am,” Dine told a group of Beck Elementary students. “We all have something. For me, I’ve got food allergies.”

Dine is a national expert on food allergies who was in Utica Community Schools for three days this week to promote allergy awareness. He met with students during the day and spoke to parents at an evening meeting.

At assemblies, he shared information with students about the types of food allergies and why it is important to understand the symptoms of someone having a reaction.

“If you see a person in distress, you need to tell someone right away,” he said.

It was a message well received by Beck students.

“I’m going to learn more about it,” said sixth-grader Jenna Price. “If one of my friends has an allergy, I may need to help them by using an EpiPen.”

Dine shared with students the top eight food allergies: peanut, tree nut, egg, milk, fish, wheat, shell fish and soy.

He also listed the common symptoms of an allergic reaction, including rash, cramps, dizziness and swelling of the lips and throat.

Dine also demonstrated the ways he keeps himself safe by using an EpiPen and a medic alert device.

While he needs to watch his diet, Dine said he has a positive attitude about his food allergy.

“I am much more healthy because I know everything that is going into my body,” he said.

Dine’s parent meeting and assemblies were made possible by a grant through the Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness competition.

Nearly 25,000 supporters voted for UCS during an online grant competition last year. The grant was awarded by Mylan Specialty, a specialty pharmaceutical company.