Find out who the winners were for the 2017 Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award, and read about Justin Mathews, who passed away last month, and his family’s call-to-action. Plus, learn more about exercise-induced anaphylaxis, and alpha-gal allergy (also known as meat allergy). Scroll down to learn more!
Winners of the 2017 Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award
Sabrina Shannon
The Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award is sponsored by Food Allergy Canada. The award, made possible through an educational grant from TD Securities, provides $1,000 to two students entering their first year or continuing their studies at a post-secondary institution. It is presented annually to teens and young adults who have greatly contributed to the Canadian food allergy community.
This award is dedicated to Sabrina Shannon, an inspiring teenager who suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction in 2003. During her lifetime, Sabrina helped to raise awareness about food allergy by creating a first-person radio documentary, “A Nutty Tale,” which aired on CBC radio in 2001.
It goes without saying that anyone chosen to receive the award would be exceptional, but Alyssa Burrows and Hannah Lank, the co-recipients of this year’s award, take the word “accomplished” to whole new levels.
Tragedy in Edmonton: Man passes away due to walnut particles used in sandblasting.
Justin Mathews is shown in a family handout photo. Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
We are saddened to hear the tragic news about Justin Mathews. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.
Read the CBC article about Justin’s family’s call to action for more firefighters to have access to epinephrine.
Feeling the wrong kind of burn: Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIAn) is a rare but serious condition
Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIAn) is a rare condition in which anaphylactic reactions are triggered by exercise or physical exertion. Jogging, tennis, dancing, and cycling are often associated with EIAn, though everyday activities like walking and yard work can also trigger episodes.
Alpha-gal allergy: the meat of the matter
Photo: Lone star tick
Credit: U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Tick that causes red-meat allergy now found in Canada
There’s a new kind of life-threatening allergy in town, and it comes with its own set of rules.
Alpha-gal allergy, also known as meat allergy or Mammalian Meat Allergy (MMA), was first reported in the literature only 10 years ago. Although meat may have been the cause of some isolated cases of anaphylaxis attributed to an unknown cause (i.e., idiopathic) reported as far back as 1985 in Australia, and the mid-1990’s in the American Southwest, no one associated those reactions with consumption of red meat (e.g., beef, pork, and lamb) at the time.
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