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Allergy support group has produced positive reactions

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by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Twinsburg -- Laurel Anderson's daughter, Taylor, was 14 months old when she first had a severe allergic reaction to food.

"Someone had given her a peanut butter cracker," Anderson said. "By the time she got to the hospital she was covered in hives."

Anderson, of Twinsburg, learned that peanuts or peanut butter could be deadly for Taylor, who is now 5.

"I had a hard time finding information about food allergies," Anderson said. "I realized there was a need for education about food allergies."

In May 2006, Anderson started Families With Food Allergies. She opened an office on Highland Road and set out to provide information and education about food allergies. Last year, it became a non-profit, 501(3)(c) organization.

Anderson said FWFA has organized four support groups in Northeast Ohio for people who have food allergies or a child who is affected by them, and attendance has been good.

The groups in Mentor, Solon, Twinsburg and Strongsville offer people who deal with food allergies a chance to exchange helpful information and ideas on handling difficult situations.

"For example, say someone has a child with a peanut allergy and they go to a family gathering to find peanuts all over the table," Anderson said. "They can talk to other parents who have dealt with these situations. Do they leave? Do they advise their child not to kiss any relatives? Do they ask if the peanuts can be removed?"

Ravi Karnani, an allergist at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Northeast Ohio, said it is important that anyone with a food allergy keep an epinephrine pen nearby at all times.

"This is especially important at restaurants or at someone else's house during a party," Karnani said. "Chances are, if you have a child allergic to peanuts, you don't have any peanuts in your house, but you have to be careful outside of the home."

Karnani said symptoms of a reaction can include swelling of the lips and throat, shortness of breath and a rash or hives. He said the epinephrine pen is the best solution during a reaction. He also suggests that parents call 911 immediately.

Anderson said FWFA has 35 volunteers and 150 people who attend the four support groups. She said the organization does mailings to about 4,000 people.

The FWFA also gives presentations to businesses about food allergies.

"In November we are giving a presentation to Nestle Corp.," Anderson said. "We often give presentations to KinderCare locations, as well as schools."

On Oct. 19, Anderson said the group will host "Spooky Ooky," an allergen-safe Halloween event at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wickliffe, 29101 Euclid Ave.

"We will have allergen-safe goodie bags for the children," Anderson said, adding that many of these children can't participate in Trick-or-Treat because of their allergies.

Anderson said she hopes her organization can educate more people about the seriousness of food allergies. She said 11 million people in the United States suffer from a food allergy, and about 150 people die each year because of such an allergic reaction. She said the most common food allergies are milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts.

"No one really knows why, but the number of people with food allergies is doubling every five years," she said. "If you ask five different doctors why this is happening, you get five different answers."

For more information about food allergies or to attend "Spooky Ooky," call 330-405-8708.

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172