12 Days of an Allergy Free Christmas by Kyle Dine

A fun Christmas song by the awesome Kyle Dine!

Food Allergy Resource Fair

 

PLEASE JOIN US ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16 for the

2012 Food Allergy Resource Fair

Friday November 16, 2012

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Our Redeemer Community Room, Madison, WI

1701 McKenna Blvd., Madison 53712

 

We will have special speakers, live demos, and vendors there so you can try new products. This is a great way to learn about new products all in one place. Just a few of the vendors who will have their products on display are: sunbutter, wow butter, gimbals fine candies, Mylan, and more.

 

This is a FREE event!

 

If you have any questions please email sheree@foodallergywis.org

 

Pumpkin Bread Cookies

Who doesn't love having their house filled with the smell of pumpkin bread fresh from the oven? This recipe makes about 50 cookies so it's perfect to have on hand for any fall festivities you may be attending!

Pumpkin Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
(dairy, peanut, tree nut-free)
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg*
15 ounce can pumpkin
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar. Add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla and beat until creamy. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Drop onto baking sheet by tablespoonfuls. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool and frost with the Cream Cheese Icing. If desired, sprinkle frosted cookies with extra cinnamon!

Cream Cheese Icing
1 (8 oz) container Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
4 Tbsp Fleischmann's Unsalted margarine
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine the cream cheese and margarine. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla and blend until smooth.

*Note*: To make this recipe egg-free, replace the egg with 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 Tbsp warm water.

FAAW Fall Carnival

FOOD ALLERGY ASSOCIATION OF WI PRESENTS

SPOOK-TACULAR FALL CARNIVAL

HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (GYM)

2670 MILWAUKEE STREET

MADISON, WI 53704

DATE: OCTOBER 27, 2012

TIME: 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.

FOOD FREE PRIZES and FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!!

GAMES ~ PRIZES

If you are interested in donating prizes or volunteering to run a game please email sheree@foodallergywis.org

RSVP to sheree@foodallergywis.org so we can ensure enough prizes for all.

Asthma Peeps

Does your child have asthma? Asthma Peeps are stickers you can apply to spacers and inhalers to help make asthma management fun for your child!

 http://www.asthmapeeps.com/shop/sticker-spacer-combo

Community Change discounted gift cards

**Our next double Donation Day is Monday August 20,2012**

Purchase discounted gift cards from over 80 merchants in the Dane County Area and FAAW receives 20% of the purchase price. Watch for notices about Double Donation Day and FAAW receives 40% of the purchase price. After you pick your card(s), you then can pick your charity of choice to receive the donation and look for Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin. There are daily specials for super savings for gifts cards and fast delivery of cards to your mailbox. Shipping is nominal or free with minimum purchase or specials. See the Community Change website http://www.thecommunitychange.com for more information. Sign up is easy and receive Facebook updates or emails for daily specials.

Info also found on FAAW donate page - http://www.foodallergywis.org/donations.html

Examples of cards beyond restaurant:

Ultrazone Lazer Tag

Oasis Day Spa – Mani/Pedi/Facial

Gymfinity

Bouncy Town USA

Apple Wellness

Orange Tree Imports

Zimbrick – Oil Changes

Mt. Olympus

Please Join us on August 18 at Mt Olympus Water & Theme Park. We have tickets for $20.00 a wristband that will get you on all the rides plus free parking.  Normally tickets are $39.99 so this is a great price for a day of family Fun!

You will also be allowed to carry in small snacks. Usually they do not allow in outside food but since our group is a Food Allergy Group they are making an exception. Please no coolers of food, and if you can purchase your drinks at the park please do so.

If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Sheree Godwin at 608-575-9535 or sheree@foodallergywis.org .

 

2012 Food Allergy Awareness Walk

Hello Members:

The 2011 year for the Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin (FAAW ) was one of great progress for people in our community with food allergies! The 2012 year has been very active also. We educated 1000's of people in the area, resulting in a more knowledgeable and safer community for those with food allergies. We hope to accomplish even more in 2012 and there after, and we need your help to do it. This walk is the primary fundraiser we have to support all of the educational and fun activities our group offers. Additionally, the walk raises awareness of food allergies and educates the public about the safe caring of kids, teens, adults and families with food allergies. See attached list of the activities from the previous year. As a nonprofit organization, FAAW operates solely off of fundraising and donations. So, we need your support whether it is by registering a team for the Walk and raising contributions or by making a donation to FAAW. And, because we are an all-volunteer organization, you can be assured your donation is used for the programs promised to forward our mission. Please help us make our fundraising goal of $10,000. The walk will be held on Saturday August 4, 2012, at Warner Park. Walk information and FAQs can be found at the FAAW website at http://www.foodallergywis.org/eventsmadison.html. Included is a link to our fundraising page at FirstGiving (http://www.firstgiving.com/foodallergywis/foodallergy-awareness-walkexpo). FirstGiving is an organization that specifically helps nonprofits raise contributions through events. The FirstGiving site helps you set up a fundraising page or make a contribution to the Walk. FirstGiving also provides helpful hints to successfully raise contributions from families and friends. If you would like to register for the walk you can do that at http://www.firstgiving.com/foodallergywis/foodallergy-awareness-walkexpo you should register before you make your fundraising page. Please make sure to register everyone including children. If you can’t be at the walk, you can still be a virtual walker and create an online fundraising page at http://www.firstgiving.com/foodallergywis/foodallergy-awareness-walkexpo Thank you and hope to see you there!

Summer Fun

Now that summer is finally here will your family be spending a lot of time at the beach, pool, or waterparks?  Here is a list of waterproof cases to keep your EpiPens nearby and safe from water damage!

http://www.rei.com/search?query=waterproof+cases

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/waterproof-case-p-1472.html

http://www.onespotallergy.com/Waterproof-EpiPen-Belt-p/osa0030.htm

Or if you are concerned about the heat affecting your EpiPens you might be interested in these carriers designed to keep your medication at just the right temperature...

http://www.allstarsales.ca/contents/en-us/d11.html

http://www.coolerconcept.com/

Mt. Olympus Family Fun Day!

Please Join us on April 15th at Mt Olympus Water & Theme Park!


If you mention code FAAW not only will you be allowed in at the $6.00 rate you will also be allowed to carry in small snacks. Usually they do not allow in outside food but since our group is a Food Allergy Group they are making an exception. Please no coolers of food, and if you can purchase your drinks at the park please do so.

See flyer for details... http://foodallergywis.org/eventsmadison_554_1263663923.pdf

We hope to see you there!!

Photos from the 2012 FAAN conference

The 2012 Leader's Summit and Food Allergy conference brought tears, laughs, and an overall sense of empowerment!  Sara Shannon shared her story about her daughter Sabrina's tragic allergic reaction at school and how "Sabrina's Law" is now helping to protect other allergic children in Canada.  Other highlights from the conference included sessions about advocating for our children at school, bullying, and the latest research.  Of course we can't forget that our very own Sheree Godwin received the Mariel C. Furlong for Making a Difference Award!  Congratulations Sheree!!

FAAN Annual Award Winners

Congratulations to Sheree Godwin, President of FAAW, for receiving one of FAAN's Mariel C. Furlong Awards for Making a Difference!  Thanks for all you do Sheree!

Click here to see the list of all the other great winners!  http://www.foodallergy.org/page/winners-of-the-food-allergy--anaphylaxis-networks-annual-awards-are-making-a-difference-in-the-food-allergy-community

Hockey Game Photos

Pictures from the Allergy-Friendly UW Women's Hockey game at the Kohl's Center earlier this month.

Here's a song all about allergies. The Wiggles have created this song to help raise the awareness of allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis. It was recorded and filmed at The Wiggles' Hot Potato Studio. The official video clip will be filmed later this year, and will be included in the release of The Wiggles first DVD release for 2012! For more information on allergies, please visit www.allergyfacts.org.au.

EpiPens in Madison Schools Press Release

Dean Clinic Makes Donation to Local Schools to Help Children with Life-Threatening Allergies


Dean Clinic Provides an EpiPen to Each Health Office in the Madison Metropolitan School District

Madison, Wis. – Dean Clinic and pharmaceutical company Dey Pharma, have teamed up to make Madison schools safer for children with allergies. For the 2011-2012 school year, more than 40 EpiPens were donated, which is enough to ensure at least one EpiPen is available in each school’s health office.

"The Madison School District is grateful for the support of community partners like Dean Clinic,” says Freddi Adelson, Health Services Coordinator for MMSD. “This generous donation allows our staff to respond quickly and appropriately to unexpected serious allergic reactions."

Roughly 1,500 people in the U.S. die each year due to anaphylaxis, a sudden and serious allergic reaction that often prohibits people from breathing. Many of those deaths could be prevented if immediate treatment is administered via an EpiPen.

“The first line of treatment is to administer epinephrine as early as possible,” says Dean Clinic Allergist Don Bukstein, MD. “The EpiPens contain the epinephrine needed to stop the allergic reaction and they can stop it in a matter of minutes.”

There are three major risk factors for fatal anaphylaxis:
-Allergic reaction to food, stinging insects or medications
-Presence or history of asthma symptoms
-Delay in administration of epinephrine

Wisconsin law now allows children with known allergies to have an EpiPen with them in schools, but Dr. Bukstein says it is still important that our schools have one on hand for back up.

“It is possible that a child may not know he or she has a particular allergy,” says Dr. Bukstein. “If his or her first exposure to the allergen is at school, they may not have an EpiPen or an action plan set up with the school. This is when having the device in the schools is critically important.”

Every child with known allergy risks should have an anaphylaxis action plan on file with all schools and caregivers. The plan should list symptoms, state that immediate action can be life-saving and outline what to do in order of importance.

“We hope the EpiPens don’t need to be used, but as a physician, it feels good to know that these schools now have an extra life-saving device on hand in the event of an emergency,” says Dr. Bukstein.

Allergen Friendly Game at the Kohl Center

Allergen Friendly Game at the Kohl Center, Madison, WI


The UW Badgers and the

Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin present:



Women's Hockey vs. Ohio State

Date: Saturday, February 18, 2012

Start Time: 12:30pm

• Designated allergen friendly general admission sections -117/118

• Enjoy an allergen friendly concession stand

• All peanut/tree nut items removed from concession stand

• Ingredient listings available for other allergens



Click on the link for tickets $1.00 – Youth/Senior and $3.00 – Adult

Use promotion code "Allergy"

Go to http://www.foodallergywis.org/ for more details.

Chapter Meeting

Questions about your or your loved one's food allergies?  Join us for our next support group meeting!

Date:  Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012

Time:  6:30pm - 8:00pm

Place:  Holy Cross Lutheran School, Madison, WI

Topic:  Open Discussion

A Tragic Loss

Last week a young girl died at school from a peanut allergy. For those of us with children with food allergies, this is our worst nightmare come true. What makes this story even more unbearable is the fact that her death could have been prevented had the school reacted differently. If little Amarria Johnson had been given an EpiPen and 911 was called immediately, perhaps this child would still be alive today.

 Read her story here: http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-chesterfield-student-death-20120103,0,4150762.story

Click here to sign an online guest book for Amarria Johnson’s family: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/timesdispatch/guestbook.aspx?n=amarria-johnson&pid=155347143&cid=full


What are some things we can do to prevent this tragedy from happening to us?

 - Before the school year starts, be sure to discuss with school staff about your child’s food allergies and give the school a copy of your child’s Food Allergy Action Plan along with EpiPens and any other medications prescribed for your child.
 - Ask your local food allergy support group if they are willing to give a presentation to your school district about how to keep students with food allergies safe in the school environment.
- Role play with your child so they know exactly what they should say and do if they think they are having an allergic reaction.
- Sign this petition to urge the U.S. Senate to pass the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act! https://www.change.org/petitions/save-allergic-childrens-lives-in-schools