FAAN's "Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure"

More than 12 million people in the Unites States have food allergies; 3 million of those are children. There is no cure and the only treatment is strict avoidance of the foods that can cause the allergic reaction. Within seconds a person can go into anaphylactic shock (or anaphylaxis), which is a severe allergic reaction that can result in unconsciousness and even death. The most common of those allergic foods are eggs, soy, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish and shellfish.

Advocates of all ages gather together at 26 walk locations stretching from California to Maryland to raise funds and awareness for the The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). The money raised from the walk as well as other FAAN events goes towards food allergy and anaphylaxis studies, research, education, public awareness, and possible treatments and vaccines. Additional FAAN events include a Teen Summit in Arlington, VA, and "Trick or Treat For Food Allergy," where kids can carry a donation box and ask for donations rather than trick or treat for candy.

FAAN is a non-profit organization that was established in 1991. There are over 30,000 members that consist of, but not limited to, parents, grandparents, medical professionals, and schools. Their mission, which can be found on their web site at www.foodallergy.org/about.html, is to "raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis."

Country music star Trace Adkins is this year's National Honorary Chair for FAAN's Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure. Adkins and his wife became members of FAAN shortly after they discovered their daughter was allergic to peanuts. He was also a "The Celebrity Apprentice" finalist, and the charity of his choice for the show was The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

This year's Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure in Plano, Texas, will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Bob Woodruff Park. The check-in begins at 9:00 a.m. and the 2 mile walk begins at 10:00 a.m.

Other walk locations and dates for 2008 are as follows:

August
Denver, CO - August 17
Philadelphia, PA - August 23
Fairfax, VA - August 23

September
Houston, TX - September 6
Seattle, WA - September 6
Long Branch, NJ - September 7
Pittsburgh, PA - September 14
Detroit, MI - September 20
Grand Rapids, MI - September 20
San Francisco, CA - September 20
Boston, MA - September 21
Chicago, IL - September 27
Indianapolis, IN - September 27
Richmond, VA - September 27

October
Baltimore, MD - October 4
Long Island, NY - October 12
Hartford, CT - October 18
Atlanta, GA - October 18
Ridgewood, NJ - October 19
Boise, ID - October 25
Kansas City, KS - October 25
Charlotte, NC - October 25

November
Dallas (Plano), TX - November 8
San Diego, CA - November 8
Los Angeles, CA - November 16
Key Biscayne, FL - November 22

If there is not a walk location for your area, you can register for an online walk in "Alexander's Home Town, USA," which is scheduled for December 6, 2008. Alexander is a peanut allergic elephant that is featured in several educational books and dvds for children. The online walk is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2008. Participant's who register for Alexander's Home Town can raise funds and walk at their leisure in any location in their area.

For more information about the walk or about food allergies, or to make a secure online donation, please visit www.foodallergywalk.org or www.foodallergy.org.

Sources:
Web Site: The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network: Education. Advocacy. Research. Awareness.