This has truly been a time of transition and movement. Although, at times I feel like I’m on a wild ocean ride, it also feels amazing when you catch the wave and the movement is positive. The newest wave swelling up is the merger between Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA) and the KFA’s! This really makes me happy and feels sooo right. I was truly honored and flat out thrilled when I received word last night about the merger from AAFA Board President, Lynda Mitchell and KFA CEO Bill McLin during a conference call with fellow bloggers. Here is a link to the AAFA and KFA PRESS RELEASE!
photo courtesy of KFA (Rising Stars)
KFA has been a food allergy cornerstone and the groundbreaking group who joined our community together –online. I’ve always been amazed when I meet people, from all over the country, and here they tell me their are KFA volunteers who are supporting each other while working on solutions for living with food allergies. I’m used to volunteers being all from the same area! KFA programs include education, peer support, cooking classes and outreach. What makes this marriage work like two puzzle pieces coming together is that KFA is a national organization that works on research, education, advocacy for asthma, food and environmental allergies. AAFAfocuses on directly on individuals (kids) with food allergies. They are on the front lines, providing recipes, shoulders to cry on and programs to improve the quality of living with food allergies. For me, I’ve relied on their message boards and asking questions.
Each group compliments each other fabulously. My almost ten year relationship with KFA began when I started a support group in my town. I registered my group as a support group and KFA provided very professional guidelines on how to start and operate a support group. I even signed an oath of ethics! They have provided me with meeting topics, materials, ideas and information down to how to set-up a room and what to do when participation lingers. My relationship with KFA will always have a special spot in my heart. I’ve only had wonderful interactions with them and each year I appreciate their work more and moreKFA The only thing missing was access to peers battling food allergies. Now, that has been addressed.
KFA will continue as KFA–a division of KFA. All funds raised by KFA will be earmarked for KFA programs. KFA will benefit from KFAadvocacy and national structure. One side bar: as you may know, I’m heavily active with the American Lung Association (ALA) and what I admire abou tKFA is that they work with ALA on advocacy issues (This Feb 20th both ALA and KFA have organized a national Call In Day to Congress ). They do not compete, they support each other in their strong commitments to their missions! Linda will stay at the helm of KFA, but her title will change to Senior Director. Also, in the move, two board members from KFA have joined the KFA board and the remaining KFA board members will be food allergy advisers for KFA. To learn more about how the merger will work, please read this link: AAFA and KFA Merger Public FAQs.
For me, this is all welcoming news and a Marriage to celebrate!
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!..
Awesome news!