It’s Food Allergy Awareness Month (FAAM)! Check out our social awareness campaign and learn how you can help drive awareness all month long. Plus, read more about ALLERJECT® epinephrine auto-injectors and find out when they will be available in Canada. Get answers to your questions on managing food allergy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out who won our community awards – from leaders in business to medical students!
Food Allergy Awareness Month: Get involved virtually!
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month in Canada! Although the month may not look like what we originally planned, there is so much we can do together to raise food allergy awareness and education virtually all month long. Click on the button below or check out the sections for more details. Plus, read the Minister of Health’s message on FAAM.
#FactsAndHacks campaignDiscover our #FactsAndHacks campaign where a fact from research is highlighted alongside a hack you can do to manage your food allergy.
Spread awarenessLearn how you can get involved in spreading awareness this month – from painting a nail teal to participating in an online webinar.
Thank you to our Creating a better future webinar series sponsors: ALLERJECT®, The Walter and Maria Schroeder Foundation, EpiPen®, Sean Delaney Memorial Golf Classic
Creating a better future webinar seriesParticipate in the many upcoming sessions:
May 27: The madness behind the numbers – accurate diagnosis, is it possible? with Dr. Edmond Chan
June 9: Youth session – Managing anxiety and bullying with Samara Carroll
June 17: The truth behind immunotherapy, is it right for you? with Dr. Julia Upton
June 24: Understanding when to use epinephrine with Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan
Watch the recorded webinarsWe have also hosted some amazing webinars recently! Check out the recordings:
Future outlook of therapies with Dr. Cecilia Berin. Click here to watch now!
Coming soon:
– The science behind food allergy with Dr. Elissa Abrams
– Youth session: Food allergies don’t define me with football player Thomas Miles
– Youth session: Rock your food allergy with Kyle Dine
Become a #FoodAllergyChampionEnsure our programs and advocacy continue well into the future. During this critical time, we need your support more than ever.
There are many virtual events focused on food allergy education this month, including online sessions for parents and kids.
Be sure to take part!
ALLERJECT® will soon be available in Canada!
On May 12, kaléo announced that ALLERJECT® epinephrine auto-injectors will be widely available in pharmacies across Canada starting May 19, 2020. With ALLERJECT, Canadians now have access to a different option for an epinephrine auto-injector.
Read their statement for details on the product. Plus, read these FAQs to address other questions you may have about ALLERJECT, including how to access the devices.
We have worked hard to help make this happen on your behalf.
As you know, we have been strongly advocating over the last two years to ensure there is always affordable access to life-saving medication by having a minimum of two epinephrine auto-injector suppliers in Canada long-term. We worked continuously with the Government of Canada, provincial governments, pharmaceutical companies, and other key stakeholders to advocate on your behalf, pushing for Canada to no longer be vulnerable to shortages and other device constraints that comes with being in a single-source market.
Together, with your commitment and support, we have made significant change for all Canadians impacted by food allergy. There is no better way to commemorate Food Allergy Awareness Month than by announcing this huge advocacy win!
For additional details about the launch, please visit allerject.ca or contact kaléo directly at 1-888-680-7340.
Your questions answered on COVID-19
Managing food allergy
Should you go to the emergency department if you have a reaction, how do you prepare for a virtual visit with your allergist, and more!
Check out our COVID-19 and food allergy section for answers to your questions.
Early introduction and COVID-19
Families with babies at high risk of food allergy may be wondering if they should proceed with early introduction of allergenic solids during this time of COVID-19. High-risk babies have eczema or pre-existing food allergy, or an immediate family member with eczema, food allergy, asthma or hay fever.
Even during a pandemic, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) continues to recommend introducing allergenic solids early — around 6 months, but not before 4 months of age — to infants at high risk of food allergy. The CPS makes this recommendation as the benefit (large reduction in food allergy) is viewed to outweigh the risk (extremely small risk of severe reaction at first ingestion).
Learn more about this CPS recommendation and watch our recent Q&A webinar on introducing allergens to babies during COVID-19 with the co-authors of the CPS practice point on the introduction of allergenic foods, Dr. Elissa Abrams and Dr. Edmond Chan. Plus, check our new “Eat Early. Eat Often.” resource for parents which features practical ways and recipes for introducing allergens early.
Announcing our 2020 community award winners!
We are pleased to announce the 2020 winners of the following community awards: Pryde Family Travel Grant, The Allan Reynolds Volunteer of the Year Award, and The Robyn Allen Leadership Award. Next month, we’ll share a profile of these winners and also announce the Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award winners.
Learn about the awards below and join us in congratulating this year’s incredible recipients!
2020 Pryde Family Travel Grant Winners: Dr. Anna Whalen-Browne and Rachel Simpson
The Pryde Family Travel Grant provides two $500 travel grants for graduate students, medical students or healthcare professionals who have an interest in food allergy/anaphylaxis. The funds help to offset expenses for attending an academic program or event related to food allergy.
Our annual Pryde Family Travel Grant was established in honour of the Pryde Family, as well as the family and friends of Sean Delaney, who have hosted The Sean Delaney Golf Memorial Classic since 2007, the year that Sean passed away from an anaphylactic reaction.
2020 Robyn Allen Leadership Award winner: Marie-Josée Bettez
This award recognizes an individual who has made a unique contribution to the lives of Canadians living with food allergy through their efforts in education, advocacy, community building, leadership, or fundraising.
This award is in memory of Robyn Allen, a young girl who passed away from an allergic reaction. Although a peanut allergy triggered the response, it was lack of awareness that led to her death. The Robyn Allen Award is given by the Allen family in appreciation to those who champion anaphylaxis-related causes through awareness building and influence change that impacts quality of life through improved policies, research, education, and advocacy.
2020 Allan Reynolds Volunteer of the Year Award winner: Sylvio Deluca
This award recognizes a special individual for their passion, commitment, extraordinary contribution, and leadership in raising food allergy awareness.
This award is dedicated to Allan Reynolds, a long-time, inspiring volunteer and friend who passed away suddenly in 2013. During his time with Food Allergy Canada, Allan helped us improve public understanding about food allergy and get Sabrina’s Law passed to protect students at risk of anaphylaxis.