Wahoo!  It doesn’t take much to make me happy, but I was pleasantly surprised yesterday morning when opened up my Sunday copy of the Reno Gazette Journal to find our Nevada Stock Epinephrine story on the front page!  “Lifesaving shot: Nevada Schools Required to Keep Epinephrine in Case of Allergic Reactions”.  Awareness, awareness, awareness!  Each time we have these kinds of conversations, the more the public becomes aware of the severity of life threatening allergies and anaphylaxis and a better understanding of this invisible  disease comes to light.  A big smile came across my sleepy face!  Over sized kudos to the reporter, Ray Hagar,  covering this story.  He is a legislative reporter, not a health reporter, not a lifestyle reporter.  He heard our words and allergic story and was able to kick it up a notch or two to help spread critical awareness.

photo courtesy of the Reno Gazette Journal

Ray called me about a week and a half ago to discuss SB453 Stock Epinephrine in Nevada Schools.  He had already spoken to our Allergy and Anaphylaxis hero Senator Debbie Smith and she gave him my number.  As we spoke for almost one hour, he become more and more interested in understanding allergies and anaphylaxis.  Although Ray currently covers any and everything that has to do with the Nevada Legislature, he felt that the story needed to be expanded–this topic was more than just law being passed.  It was about life.  It was about saving lives.

A photo of the actual bill signing of SB453 Stock Epinephine in Nevada Schools

Gathering allergy and anaphylaxis information was key

Ray mentioned that it is unusual that a specific kind of law is passed in multiple states during the same year.  This caught his attention.  Once he opened the door to receiving data, I bombarded him with stats, research papers, vetted website links, etc.  He happily received them and called with further questions.  Fortunately, Ray wanted to photograph and interview a family and the Patin family, who have been allergy and asthma advocates for years, stepped up to the plate!  I am a huge fan of Niki Patin, who is currently the executive director of the Susan G. Komen foundation chapter here in Reno.  She is a life long advocate, a great lady and is simply inspiring.

3 Tips for being ready to speak to the media

There were  three important things regarding awareness and media that I wanted to share with you.  The truth is that you never know when someone is going to call you and say, “hey we are doing a story on allergies and anaphylaxis (or asthma), can we talk?”  being prepared is what makes the difference between a weak or strong story and awareness.
[unordered_list style=”green-dot”]

• Have your story ready to tell.  Have your short 3 minute blurb of what you want the world to know!  For me, I wanted to tell Ammaria’s tragic food allergy story, she could have been any of our children.  I want everyone to see how quickly her reaction took hold and that even though the ambulance arrived quickly.  It was not enough.  My story, at this point of time, is that we need epinephrine available at all times-at school, at home and Ammaria is saving lives as the rest of us tell her story.
• Have other families or resources who the reporter may be able to interview in your address book.  Reporters need various perspectives and approaches.
• Be able to direct the media to vetted, medical resources and statistics.  I was able to provide Ray with links to Food Allergy Reasearch and Education’s statistics pages, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s resources, along with various research papers and news story links regarding Ammaria Johnson’s tragic food allergy death.

[/unordered_list]

 Each media mention, discussion or articles all raise awareness and make a difference

All in all, Sunday was a great day for awareness and advocacy!  Following up this story, Niki and I will be guests this Thursday, July 18th on Nevada Newsmakers, as we discuss allergies and our new stock epinephrine law.  Here is a link to see a short Video produced by Ray during his visit to the Patin family:  http://bcove.me/5355dkq4

Thank you Ray Hagar and the Reno Gazette Journal  for helping us raise Allergy and Anaphylaxis awareness and by introducing SB453, stock epinephrine in Nevada to the community.