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The Walk to Axe Anaphylaxis will be held at Cedarvale Park in Toronto on October 17, 2010. The Walk began last year, when it raised $45,000 for anaphylaxis research. Funds raised this year will go to the Canadian Asthma, Allergy and Immunological Foundation. Check out their website at www.walktoaxe.ca for more information.
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada recently produced a consumer-friendly booklet containing information on common food allergens. The booklet contains information on common sources and names for these allergens, ways to avoide allergic reactions, symptoms of allergic reactions and treatments for food allergies. The booklet is available online on the CFIA website.
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The updated Allergy Safe Communities website is now based on the new second edition of the consensus guidelines in Anaphylaxis in Schools and Other Settings to reflect current research and best practices for the community. The website is produced by the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, in collaboration with several allergy associations including Anaphylaxis Canada. The site features a variety of downloadable resources, including a fillable version of the Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan for individuals. The website can be found at www.allergysafecommunities.ca.
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EpiPen has a new format. The colour and shape of the epipen has changed, and the needle is now immediately covered after use. Find out more information and get a free
epipen starter kit with trainer on EpiPen's website at the epipen website.
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May is Food Allergy Awareness Month in Canada as Parliament unanimously passed a motion put forward by MP Cheryl Gallant. Anaphylaxis Canada events this month included its
annual conference in Toronto on May 8 and the announcement of the Sabrina Shannon Memorial
Award for youth involvement in community anaphylaxis education. AC will be also launching
a French version of its "Why Risk It?" website for allergic teens.
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Dr. Lucy's produces cookies that are peanut/tree nut, dairy, egg and gluten free. Dr. Lucy Gibney began making the cookies after she discovered her son had multiple food allergies and the business has now expanded into Halton at Starbuck's and Whole Foods stores. You can also order their products online. Check out their website at www.drlucys.com
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The Canadian Transport Agency has ordered Air Canada to create a formal policy for passengers with severe food allergies that includes peanut/nut free "buffer zones" for passengers who provide advance notice of an allergy. The agency declared peanut/tree nut allergies a "disability" in the context of air travel. Further information and discussion, check out the Allergic Living website. Or for the full CTA ruling, go to the CTA website here.
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Anaphylaxis Canada has published its Winter 2010 Newsletter. The Newsletter includes a review of the organization's activities in 2009. The newsletter also includes reviews of studies which highlight the risks taken by post-secondary students; documents the dramatic rise in anaphylaxis, supporting its characterization as an epidemic; and examines how well allergic and non-allergic children recognize peanuts and tree nuts by sight. There is also a Q&A on oral allergy syndrome, matched with some personal experiences and an update on the proposed labelling regulations. The Kids' Club newsletter is also included.
For further details, receive the full newsletter by subscribing to Anaphylaxis Canada. The Anaphylaxis Canada Newsletter is published three times a year as an educational and informational service to its members. Annual membership rates are:
Family-$35 Camp, Day Care, School-$50, Health Professional- $50 and Corporate- $100.
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Allergic Living, the Canadian magazine aimed specifically at people coping with allergies and asthma published its Winter 2010 issue! This issue's feature article is "Date, But Don't Tempt Fate" and explores issues of dating with allergies with a "Dating and Allergies 101" sidebar. Other articles discuss heat-induced reactions and their relation to exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Regular features include Ask the Allergist and Allergy News. The latter includes a segment on the latest addition to Canada's top allergen list - mustard. The magazine's website, Allergic Living.com is a must-see for the allergy-aware! Got advice or a story to share? Join "Talking Allergies" the online forum for the allergic community. Let them know what you think! Visit www.allergicliving.com for further information or to subscribe.
Check out a new food allergy resource and directory at www.allergysense.com. The website includes include a wide range of allergy information, including sections on Living With Allergies, Ask an Allergist and Ask a Mom. As well, there are articles and a blog containing product information, recipes and other useful information.
Nutrition For Your Condition is dedicated to offering solutions for those suffering with food related medical conditions. They are now offering an 85-piece Carry-All Kitchen which allows you to prepare full meals for specific dietary needs using only electricity and running water. Everything fits in a tote case and was created by a mom to enhance safety for her severely allergic son. They also offer a Meal Mate, which allows for the convenient transportation of prepared meals when dining out. A portion of sales is donated to research and development in food allergies and intolerances. You can find more information on their website at www.nutritionforyour condition.com
Anaphylaxis Canada has published its Fall 2009 Newsletter. The Newsletter includes articles looking at the costs and availability of epi-pens worldwide; the rising rate of unintentional injections from auto-injectors; an update on food labelling; what it's like to desensitize; ten tips for managing allergies in high school and much more. The Kids' Club newsletter is also included.
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Allergic Living, published its Fall 2009 issue! This issue's feature article is "Who's Watching Lunch?". Other articles discuss milk allergy and school; raising food allergy awareness in schools; and a program to increase milk tolerance for the dairy allergic. Regular features include Ask the Allergist and Allergy News. The magazine's website, Allergic Living.com is a must-see for the allergy-aware! Got advice or a story to share? Join "Talking Allergies" the online forum for the allergic community. Let them know what you think! Visit www.allergicliving.com for further information or to subscribe.
Anaphylaxis Canada has launched its new youth anaphylaxis awareness strategy with the introduction of a new website geared specifically to pre-teens, teens and young adults. www.whyriskit.ca is created for teens by teens through Anaphylaxis Canada's Youth Advisory Panel. It includes resources and information specific to teens and young adults on risk management strategies, a Reaction Registry, Teen Allergy Podcasts and a bi-monthly publication, Allergy Free Press, with tips, interviews and articles for young people with food allergies.
Canada's Parliament has declared May 4-8 as Food Allergy Awareness Week after a motion moved by MP Cheryl Gallant received all party support on April 28. The motion is also a result of efforts from MP Gerard Kennedy. To mark this week, Anaphylaxis Canad is launching a new teen website at www.whyriskit.ca on May 6. The following day there will be a special report on Allergies & Asthma in the Toronto Star. Anaphylaxis Canada will also be awarded with a "Reader with a Cause" award in Today's Parent magazine.
Anaphylaxis Canada has published its Spring 2009 Newsletter. The Newsletter includes an article discussing a study which asks whether peanut consumption in infancy can influence allergy; one family's approach on how to prepare allergic children to attend bar/bat mitzvahs; a question and answer segment on exercise induced anaphylaxis; and much more. The Kids' Club newsletter is also included in this issue.
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Allergic Living, published its Spring 2009 issue! This issue's feature article is "Food Allergy Backlash - Why the hype over nut 'hysteria'". Other articles discuss Oral Allergy Syndrome and include a table of cross-reactors. There is also an assessment of the impact of Sabrina's Law and an update on Allergic Living's write-in campaign to the airlines.
Allergic Living is sponsoring an online letter writing campaign directed at Canadian airlines to encourage them to develop clear, consistent and communicated allergy policies, including some measures to prevent dangerous on-flight reactions. You can find out more information on airline allergy policies in the latest issue of Allergic Living, or in in this Globe and Mail article. If you would like to contribute to this Allergies and Airlines - Reduce the Risk Campaign,take a few minutes to visit the Allergic Living website and click on the green box at the top right.
ANAPHYLAXIS CANADA WINTER 2008 NEWSLETTER: Vol_21. The Newsletter includes: Moving Ahead with Food Labelling for Pre-Packaged Food and a brief synopsis of the proposed food labelling amendments; a summary of a US study which concluded that the comfort level of restaurant personnel in managing food allergies exceeds their knowledge level; an article on how one family prepared for overnight camp; a summary of the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) conference and what to expect from YAP in the near future in terms of delivering information to teens and young adults at risk for anaphylaxis; and much more. The Kids' Club newsletter is also included in this issue.
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Allergic Living, the Canadian magazine aimed specifically at people coping with food and environmental allergies published its Winter 2009 issue! This issue's feature article is "Flying Allergic", discussing the special issues of flying on planes for those at risk for anaphylaxis and what the airlines are doing, or often not doing, to help reduce the risk. The article includes a table comparing the airlines and some food allergy flying tips. Regular features include Ask the Allergist and Allergy News, which notes a Center for Disease Control and Prevention report on surging hospital admissions related to food allergy and a new law in Manitoba requiring schools to have policies to protect anaphylactic students.
Anaphylaxis Canada released its submission to Health Canada on its proposed new labelling regulations on November 28, 2008. They also released summaries of the results of survey questions on the proposed changes from focus groups and webcast participants. They submission and survey results are available on the Anaphylaxis Canada website by visiting here.
The Chef Upstairs is a unique demonstration cooking studio and private dining venue. Toronto's best chefs will share their knowledge in a relaxed and interactive atmosphere, using only fresh, local and organic ingredients. The Chef Upstairs is proud to be allergy aware, working with Anaphylaxis Canada to ensure an allergy aware environment for their guests. They will accomodate special requests and do not serve nuts or peanuts. They also offer allergy aware classes. For more information, visit their website at www.thechefupstairs.com.
Anaphylaxis Canada held its latest webcast to discuss Health Canada's proposed Food Labelling Amendments on November 12, 2008. Health Canada announced the changes to the food labelling regulations on July 23, 2008 and is now seeking input on these amendments from stakeholders in the community. The webcast is facilitated by Anaphylaxis Canada consultant Marilyn Allen and provides an in-depth overview of the amendments. Comments and questions posed during the webcast will be summarized in a report which Anaphylaxis Canada will submit to Health Canada. To listen to the webcast, go to the Anaphylaxis Learning Centre on the Anaphylaxis Canada website. To view the proposed Health Canada amendments, check out their website here.
Anaphylaxis Canada held its third and fourth webcasts to discuss managing anaphylaxis in schools. The webcasts addressed anaphylaxis management strategies, auto-injector training, and tips and strategies to create an allergen safe school environment. A webcast on Managing Anaphylaxis in Secondary Schools was held on October 15 while a webcast on Managing Anaphylaxis in Elementary Schools was held a week later on October 22. The webcasts are now available at the Anaphylaxis Canada website under the Anaphylaxis Learning Center.
Health Canada has introduced new labelling requirements for food allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites in prepackaged foods. The new regulations can be viewed here. Health Canada has also launched a large national study on the prevalence of food allergies and two studies on the dietary habits and coping skills of people with celiac disease. You can find out more on their news release. Health Canada also has an allergen labelling page, as well as a food allergy and intolerances page and a celiac disease page.
Health Canada has issued a health advisory reporting of malfunctions of the Twinject auto-injector. The reported malfunctions include the needle not firing with the first dose; the plunger not depressing when administering the second dose; and a bent or cracked needle. Note that that a Health Canada advisory is not the same as a recall. An advisory is issed to inform Canadians of a serious potential health hazard and to enable them to make informed decisions on the use of a product. You can get more information on Twinject or how to contact Paladin Labs at www.twinject.ca. Please note that the advisory does not apply to EpiPen auto-injectors.
Anaphylaxis Canada will held its second webcast - "Ask the Allergist" on Monday, July 28. Dr. Susan Wasserman was the key presenter for this webcast, which addressed commonly asked questions about anaphylaxis. There was also a Q&A portion to the webcast, which is offered free of charge. You can access a replay of the webcast on the Anaphylaxis Canada website under the heading "Anaphylaxis Learning Center".
Anaphylaxis Canada held its first webcast on "Anaphylaxis 101" on Wednesday, May 14. The web seminar focused on the basics of anaphylaxis, including what is anaphylaxis; sign and symptoms; causes of anaphylaxis; how to use an auto-injector and tips for creating an allergy-safe environment. You can access a replay of the webcast at on the Anaphylaxis Canada website under the heading "Anaphylaxis Learning Center".
Hands Stand are a group of youth who are creating and selling beautiful handmade gifts, including picture frames, candles, coffee and tea treats, rings and super-cool fibre optic pens. They are perfect for Mother's Day, teacher's gifts or other special occasions. Proceeds go to non-profit organizations, particularly those related to allergy education. Currently, proceeds are going to help fund HAPG events. For more details, check out the Hands Stand flyer. For more information or to order email j13lake@sympatico.ca.
Cakes By Robert in Toronto, is now delivering to Oakville and Burlington! There is a fee involved. Check out their web site at http://www.cakesbyrobert.com
AVAILABLE TO HAPG MEMBERS ONLY: Are you looking for anaphylactic information in order to become more aware of your child's severe life-threatening allergy and make your child's classmates aware in an age appropriate manner? Do you not yet feel comfortable with doing a presentation at your child's School Staff Meeting, or School Council then check out our HAPG Resource Library's contents, now listed in Products & Services.
A revised source of information now available to schools, families and daycare that outlines key ways to keep food anaphylactic children safe is a document entitled, Anaphylaxis: A Handbook for School Boards produced by The Canadian School Board Association and Health Canada. This document is in pdf form and you will need Acrobat Reader to view it. It is 74 pages in total or if you wish to order a copy of the new document, please contact:
Canadian School Boards Association
350-130 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON KIP 6E2
Phone: (613) 235-3724
Fax: (613-238-8434
E-mail: admin@cdnsba.org
For those parents who have children attending a school in the Halton District you may view The Halton District School Boards' Anaphylaxis - A Resource Document for Schools online.