FARE

"When I was four years old, a babysitter tried to give me a Snickers bar for dessert. I confidently told her “NO, I have a peanut allergy and I can’t eat that.” Twenty-two years and several life experiences later, my communication style surrounding my food allergies has evolved (& thankfully, gained some poise along the way), but my resolve to advocate for my own health and safety has remained the same. I’ve suffered from multiple anaphylactic food allergies from a super young age. Most fall into the “top 9” but I have a few less-common ones (potatoes, for example). As someone with a life-threatening medical condition but also the determination to live a “normal” lifestyle, I grew up feeling isolated in many social situations. From dinners with neighborhood friends and summer camps to later cheerleading competitions and sorority events, I always felt a certain sense of anxiety and deep concern that I knew no one else around me understood. As an adult, my occupation as a publicist in the travel industry has helped me evolve into someone who can navigate conferences, international travel, group dinners, and much more in a way that feels socially acceptable but also meets my needs. I’m very upfront about my allergies and I set clear boundaries for what I can and cannot do. That sense of anxiety and concern is still – and will always – be there, but it’s in my control when I have a clear understanding of all the factors that go into what I may or may not be eating. Recently, I started my social media platform “ALL YOU CAN’T EAT” (@alllyoucanteat) as a resource for the food allergy community that I wish I had five years ago as I entered my early twenties and began my career. I could have used a guide for how to communicate my needs clearly (especially in a professional setting) and what to do in different scenarios where my boundaries were tested! My goal is to inspire other young people with food allergies to see how much they can do, regardless of what they can’t eat. As I enter my late twenties and continue to see and experience more of the world, I’d love to bring others from the food allergy community along for the journey with me. ✈️" -Natalie Submit your story for a chance to be featured on an upcoming #FARESundayStory: https://bit.ly/3WNio3g

“We commend the FDA's decision to approve ARS Pharma's neffy, which offers the food allergy community a nasal-spray epinephrine delivery device,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE. “This needle-free breakthrough should make it easier for food allergy patients and those around them to administer epinephrine in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. Importantly, we believe that innovation of this nature should also make it easier to have epinephrine more broadly available for use in the event of an emergency—in police cruisers, at restaurants, in airplanes, at hotels, at amusement parks and in other areas where accidental exposures are possible. This is a win for the food allergy community." #fdaapproved #neffy #foodallergy

Job Post-Director of Public Giving Reporting to the SVP of Digital Strategy and Public Advancement, the Director of Public Giving is responsible for developing, project managing and executing public giving programs across both online and offline channels. This person will focus on engaging the food allergy community in philanthropically supporting FARE, utilizing both acquisition and cultivation strategies, with a particular interest in the digital space. No phone calls please. Apply on our Career Page: Director of Public Giving - FoodAllergy.org.

Noah Lyles has won the 100m Olympic Gold for the US! His victory is a testament to his resilience and determination, proving that allergies don’t have to define or limit your potential. Let Noah's victory inspire you to chase your dreams, no matter the challenges! 🌟🏅 #foodallergies #NoahLyles #Inspiration

"I’ve conquered my allergies and it has changed my life! Hi, my name is Jocelyn Louie and ever since I was a toddler, I have dealt with severe nut allergies. My scariest experience with my nut allergies is when my dad took me out to a new burger joint when I was eight. Who knew that a burger would have walnut sauce in it? Once I ate it, I felt sick immediately and vomited. There were hives all over my body and I was swollen like a marshmallow. My dad took me home but we were hesitant to use the EpiPen. Recently, I completed the COMBINE study, a clinical trial at the Stanford Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research. Successfully completing the study has majorly impacted my life. For a year, I visited the clinic every other week for food challenges, blood draws, dosing, and injection visits. Some of the food challenges required me to take the day off from school. During that free time, there were many things I could do, but I spent a lot of the time doing what I love –ART! I’ve always loved drawing and using art to express my imagination. It’s endless! Recently, I published a graphic novel on Amazon called, Conquering Allergies. I hope it can be a resource to others to know what to expect going through a clinical trial, specifically different treatments like oral immunotherapy (OIT) or injections. I chose to partake in a study because I hope my time and study results will contribute to advance future treatments. I will also be donating 50% of the proceeds from my book towards Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford. With research clinics like Stanford’s and wonderful organizations like FARE, I am hopeful that a cure can be found so that others don’t have to go through so much to “Conquer their Allergies!” When looking back on everything I have gone through, the future is brighter than ever! I can make a difference with my art and help others who also have food allergies. Having food allergies isn’t easy, but without art, I would never be able to express the hardships I’ve gone through. When I grow up, I might want to be an allergist or a plastic surgeon. Whatever it is, I’m grateful to know that my nut allergies won’t be stopping me from my dreams." Submit your story for a chance to be featured on an upcoming #FARESundayStory: https://bit.ly/3WNio3g

Mars 'Hungry Skies' campaign promotes Snickers as an essential travel snack, putting millions with peanut allergies at risk. Despite our efforts to communicate the dangers, Mars has only offered inadequate solutions. Let’s make our voices heard and protect those with food allergies. Thank you Healio for spreading awareness! https://bit.ly/3Yms7OE

"During my anaphylaxis to beef, I was at the skating rink. I had beef for lunch approximately an hour before going figure skating. I was completely fine going into the rink. I was even fine skating for nearly an hour. I began to experience anaphylaxis symptoms like runny nose, shortness of breath, itchy hands and hives. Thanks to God, my mom, the workers at the rink and a kind man, I was alright. My mom had shouted at the kind man to call 911. There was no sevice at the rink, so the man quickly told the workers to use the landline. My mom delivered my Auvi-Q to me and we waited for the ambulance to show up. The Auvi-Q started to help me feel better. In the ambulance they also gave me benadryl to be extra safe. However, for the first time ever, I seemed to also be allergic to benadryl. While it was being administered through my IV, I began to feel even more terrible. Luckily it quickly subsided with the Auvi-Q already in my system. It took me a while to recover and my stomach was upset for a little bit. I had to take a break from skating for around a month. I was distraught but at the same time, I was terrified to return to the rink. I was scared I'd have another allergic reaction. My love for skating eventually overtook my anxiety. I had lots of family and friends around me who encouraged me to get back on the ice. I had been worried the workers wouldn’t want me there anymore as I could be a potential problem. I was worried they’d look at me like I was a ticking time bomb. When I returned to the rink, the rink manager spoke to my mom. She was kind in saying she was glad I was back and skating again. She said they missed seeing me and hoped I was okay. Navigating my medical limitations has been hard. God strengthens me to keep going. If I can’t do something due to my limitations, I try not to be hard on myself. It's okay to say no or to take a rest day or even a week! A lot of people don’t have half of the limitations I do, so why should I hold myself to the same standards as them. I can’t keep up with others, and that's okay. So long as I bring glory to God, I am keeping up." Submit your story for a chance to be featured on an upcoming #FARESundayStory: https://bit.ly/3WNio3g

Thank you, Salon Media Group, Inc., for featuring this important issue and raising awareness. FARE continues to urge a boycott of Mars over the 'Hungry Skies' Snickers campaign, which undoes decades of advocacy work to make plane travel safer for those with life-threatening peanut allergies. #BoycottSnickers https://bit.ly/3zXLH9S

Earn your FARE certificate of training In pediatric food allergy! This comprehensive 9-month course will cover the prevention, diagnosis, and management of IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated pediatric food allergies. Upon successful completion, dietitians will be prepared to provide up-to-date and evidence-based care and medical nutrition therapy to pediatric food allergy patients and hold a FARE Certificate of Training in Pediatric Food Allergy. Additionally, FARE is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR Credentialed Practitioners will receive 61.75 Continuing Professional Education units (CPEUs) for completion of this course. Administration of this course powered by Nutricia North America Register today: https://bit.ly/3fESYMQ

Trigger warning: audio depicts medical distress FARE announced yesterday that, along with the food allergy community, the organization is taking a stand to ask Mars to stop its Snickers “Hungry Skies” campaign, which isn’t just insensitive—the campaign undoes decades of advocacy work to make plane travel safer for patients with life-threatening peanut allergies. Mars is creating a tinderbox situation that could be dangerous for some. FARE has reached out to Mars to ask them to stop the campaign. The request: Don’t let Snickers make the “hungry skies” the deadly skies! Share to your story, tag Snickers, and flood their feeds with #BoycottSnickers. Show them the faces and voices behind the severity of allergies they’re ignoring. #foodallergyawareness