Best Idea for Spreading the Word About Food Allergy?
If you’re a parent of a food allergic child, then you are very likely a creative thinker. Juggling the many to-dos and managing your child’s daily routines is challenging, but it also takes a very creative mind to manage the details, get others involved and get through it all with success.
With Food Allergy Awareness Week in full swing this week, it seemed timely to invite all of you creative parents to share your ideas with us. Maybe you are right in the middle of an idea that’s working well and you would like to share it with us. Since FARE has designated the whole month of May 2014 as Food Allergy Awareness Month, now is a great time to inspire others to be creative, too. If you have an idea for an event or project you would like to facilitate in your region and would like some support in making it happen, share it with us and we will help you get the word out.
- It’s difficult to imagine that 15 million people suffer from food allergies here in the U.S., with an increase of approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011.
- This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children (under 18 years of age) in the U.S. That’s roughly two in every classroom.
- And, the economic cost of children’s food allergies is nearly $25 billion per year.
Statistics like these drive home the importance and need for sharing with, educating and enlightening people through inspired, creative efforts. Here’s a great story from Chicago in observance of Food Allergy Awareness, where children created a 100-foot soynut butter sandwich! How creative is that? This well-planned event not only generated local public awareness, it drew impressive media coverage that further spreads the word.
Do you know about the impressive food allergy resource called FAACT? FAACT’s Leadership Team provides education, advocacy, awareness, and grassroots outreach for the food allergy community. You will find great ideas, information about summer camp, support groups and more. Many parents find it rewarding to start support groups in their communities. Find out more about how to start a support group.
Here’s a great story about how one support group got started. Read the inspiring story about the No Nuts Mom Group. It may be the idea you’ve been looking for.
If you missed an opportunity this year, you can plan ahead to make it happen in 2015. Here are some ideas for events you might consider. Just add to the list and keep going.
- Local food allergy walk
- Book sale
- Raise $1 a day to donate to your favorite group to further education and advocacy
Remember, we hope you will share your ideas with us and we will share them with other parents like you. Together, we can make this and future Food Allergy Awareness Weeks (and Months) the best ever!
