Ask any one of the thousands who have participated in one of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s Walk for Food Allergy events throughout the country why they walk, and their answer is simple: because they know or love someone with food allergies. They walk because they want raise funds to help FAAN further its mission to educate the public and find a cure.
This month kicks off the height of FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy season, with 41 events scheduled from coast to coast. With published studies pointing to an epidemic-level of food allergy prevalence, it is critical to continue to raise awareness of this potentially life-threatening medical condition that affects roughly two children in every classroom today.
Walk for Food Allergy events, which have raised more than $14 million for education, research, advocacy, and awareness programs since 2004, bring together families, educators, healthcare professionals, and corporate partners committed to a common cause for a day of fun and camaraderie. Training materials for schools and restaurants, clinical studies such as oral immunotherapy, and community outreach grants are just a few of the programs that have been funded as a result of
FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy. FAAN has set a goal to raise at least $2.4 million through its Walks in 2012.
This year, FAAN is honored to have 10-year-old Mackenzie Schultz (pictured above), the 2012 Heart of FAAN Child Ambassador, in attendance at its Walk in Long
Branch, NJ. Mackenzie, who is allergic to tree nuts, learned about her food allergy when she was in kindergarten.
Branch, NJ. Mackenzie, who is allergic to tree nuts, learned about her food allergy when she was in kindergarten.
Since 2009, Mackenzie and her Walk team have raised nearly $6,000 for FAAN. She has also maintained her positive attitude and has dedicated herself to raising awareness about food allergies.
“I want to help other children feel better about their food allergies. I don’t want other kids to think they are the only ones in that situation,” she said. “I want kids without food allergies to see that kids with food allergies are just like them and have feelings. We are just normal kids with an allergy.”
“Without these Walks and the network of volunteers who help make them possible, we could not support our mission. The funds that our walkers raise help us keep children with food allergies safe in school, enable us to advocate on Capitol Hill, and help scientists develop potential treatments for food allergy,” FAAN CEO John Lehr said. “We salute Mackenzie and the 15 million Americans who live with the challenges of managing food allergies, and we encourage not only their loved ones, but anyone who knows someone with food allergies to support our Walks.”
The national presenting sponsor of the 2012 Walk for Food Allergy is Mylan Specialty L.P., formerly known as Dey Pharma, L.P.
“Over the past six years, our employees have attended Walks throughout the country and have heard first-hand how important these events are in raising food allergy awareness and education,” said John Thievon, President of Mylan Specialty. “We appreciate FAAN’s continued leadership in these efforts and are proud to walk alongside the organization and 2012 Heart of FAAN Child Ambassador, Mackenzie Schultz, as we continue our commitment to families living with life-threatening allergies.”
The Walk for Food Allergy, which was held in Denver and Buffalo earlier this month and in four other cities earlier this year, will be held in the following cities:
Aug. 18 Indianapolis, IN
Aug. 25 Rogers, AR
Sept. 8 Morgantown, WV
Houston, TX
Minneapolis, MN
Long Branch, NJ
Sept. 15 Albany, NY
Kansas City, KS
Pennsauken, NJ (Philadelphia area)
Sept. 16 Pittsburgh, PA
Nashville, TN
Sept. 22 Austin, TX
Lansing, MI
Northern Virginia, VA
Sept. 23 Baltimore, MD
Boston, MA
Columbus, OH
Sept. 29 Charlotte, NC
Portland, ME
Triangle Area, NC
Sept. 30 Chicago, IL
Seattle, WA
Oct. 6 Detroit, MI
Las Vegas, NV
Salt Lake City, UT
Oct. 7 Miami, FL
Milford, CT
Oct. 13 California Bay Area, CA
Oct. 14 Lincoln, NE
Atlanta, GA
Long Island, NY
Oct. 21 Ridgewood, NJ
Los Angeles, CA
Nov. 3 San Diego, CA
Nov. 10 Tampa, FL
Virginia Beach, VA
Nov. 17 Dallas, TX
Dec. 1 Phoenix-Tempe, AZ
For more information about the Walk for Food Allergy, or to register or donate, please visitwww.foodallergywalk.org.
