It was a great week in Nevada for food allergy and school stock epinephrine awareness! It was kicked off last Sunday with a front page news story about our new stock epinephrine law, which was then followed up by three television interviews on Thursday! Dana Balchunas, Director of Student Health Services for the Washoe County School District, was interviewed about the new law on KOLO Reno. Immediately after Dana’s 5am interview, a paramedic representing our local ambulance service, REMSA, was interviewed regarding what anaphylaxis and epinephrine are and when to use. I can’t seem to post three videos so I’ve provided the links:
EpiPens in Nevada Schools-with Dana Balchunas
Epi Pens in Schools-with REMSA
Later that morning, Niki Patin, a long time Northern Nevada Asthma and Food Allergy Parent Education Group (AAPE) member and myself were interviewed on Nevada Newsmakers to discuss food allergies and the school stock epinephrine bill. It was wonderful day and we are all so grateful for the cooperation and collaboration we’ve enjoyed from the Nevada school districts. The more media we see, the more discussions we begin. For me, awareness begins with conversations, not discussions triggered by horrific events or tragedy, so I’m proud that food allergy awareness was the theme last week.
There will be more awareness in November during the Las Vegas Food Allergy Walk (you are welcome to join my Gratefulfoodie team)–they are expecting around 3,000 walkers!!! I can wait for the walk since it is kicking off the first annual Food Allergy Bloggers Conference (I’m a speaker-wahoo), so it is going to be a little food allergy slice of heaven in November!
image courtesy of Food Allergy Bloggers Conference
List of Popular Epi Pen and Epinehrine Holders
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!..