The good researchers over at Northwestern University are piloting a program set on gather information surrounding pediatric food allergic reactions and management. What does this mean to you and me? Plenty! We have all been asked to help by registering our children’s (under the age of 18) food allergic reactions that occurred within the past year. Their hope is to learn more about allergic reactions.
I pulled up the Report Reaction Registry weblink yesterday and was immediately met with a detailed consent form outlining who is conducting this research and sharing the name of the study: “Development of an Electronic Registry to Determine Prevalence and Characteristics of Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Use”. The consent document explained why the study was taking place, important information to know, who to contact with questions and participant details. No stones were left unturned and if they did, you can call someone. Researchers were very clear that you could decline at any time from participating.
I could not proceed any further since neither of my children experienced food allergic reactions over the last year (this is the part where I stop typing and knock on my wood desk). I’m hoping researchers can gather some very important information and I also hope that you visit the website to see if this pilot of reporting your child’s allergic reaction would work for you.
I raise up my glass of milk in honor of you all who will participate and to some of my favorite researchers at Northwestern University.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..