Delta Airlines Has A Revised Peanut Allergy Policy

Great news for travelers with severe peanut allergies! As of June 1, 2012, Delta Airlines has a new, more accommodating peanut allergy policy.
Here is what the new policy states:

When you notify us that you have a peanut allergy, we'll create a buffer zone of three rows in front of and three rows behind your seat. Effective on flights operating June 1, 2012 and beyond, when you notify us that you have a peanut allergy, we’ll refrain from serving peanuts and peanut products onboard your flight. We'll also advise cabin service to board additional non-peanut snacks, which will allow our flight attendants to serve these snack items to everyone within this area.
 Gate agents will be notified in case you'd like to pre-board and cleanse the immediate seating area. We'll do everything we can, but unfortunately we still can't guarantee that the flight will be completely peanut-free.

It is encouraging to see that airlines are making progress in understanding food allergies and that they are doing their best to keep ALL of their passengers safe.

Food Allergy Awareness Week 2012

Thanks to generous sponsors and dedicated support group members, we are giving away 40 bags full of food allergy resources and food samples to newly diagnosed patients with food allergies. 


We are grateful for the support of: Mylan Specialty, So Delicious, Enjoy Life Foods, Allerbling, I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter, Ener-G Foods, no nuttin, Private Jet MD, NIH&NIAID, and Activeaide. 


A big THANK YOU to both our sponsors and our volunteers!

Because We Love Someone With Food Allergies. Food Allergy Awareness Week: May 13-19

In the past month, our support group has been working on a project that will benefit newly diagnosed food allergy patients and their families. We've been putting together an information package that will provide new patients with various resources meant to ease their transition into a lifestyle that can be quite overwhelming, as we, food allergy veterans, know all too well. The packages will be distributed to Billings allergists' offices during Food Allergy Awareness Week.

If you would like to get involved in raising awareness, here are some ideas of things YOU can do next week:

Because you love someone with food allergies...
...write a letter to your elected officials asking them to support the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, if you haven't done so already. There are only 26 Senators and 49 Representatives co-sponsoring the bill at this time. We are happy to mention that Senator Tester and Representative Rehberg are among the sponsors!

Because you love someone with food allergies... 
...write your personal story, attach it to FAAN's press release, and send it to the local media outlets.

Because you love someone with food allergies... 
...give a presentation at your child's school or at your workplace.

Because you love someone with food allergies... 
...read food allergy-related children's books to your child's classmates and friends.

Because you love someone with food allergies... 
...hang up a poster, if you have the space. Posters are available on the FAAN website.

Because you love someone with food allergies...
...remember to thank all those that help take care of your child: family, teachers, babysitters, medical staff.

Because you love someone with food allergies... 
...host a dinner demonstration for family and friends and teach them how to cook allergy-friendly and allergy-safe.

Because you love someone with food allergies... 
...remember to set aside some time to spend with your child!

Senator Jon Tester Will Co-sponsor The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act

Wonderful news from Washington, D.C. today! Montana Senator Jon Tester decided to co-sponsor the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act. As you might recall, the bill was introduced in the Senate last November and in the House one month later, but so far only 26 Senators and 41 Representatives pledged their support.

If you haven't done so already, please consider writing Senator Baucus and Representative Rehberg and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. If you need a template letter, it is available here. It only takes a few minutes to customize it, print it, and mail it. After you mail or fax your letters, please send electronic copies to FAAN's D.C. lobbyist, Lynn Morrison. Her office will make sure that your letters are brought to the attention of senior Congressional staff.

Please do this in memory of Katelyn Carlson, Ammaria Johnson, and all the other children whose deaths could have been prevented if epinephrine had been available at their schools.

Update: Representative Denny Rehberg became a co-sponsor on May 8. Thank you, Mr. Rehberg!