It is that time of year again, food allergy awareness week.

Here are a few facts from the Food Allergy and Anphylaxis Network website that I want to share with you.

• Food allergy is a growing public health concern. As many as 15 million people have food allergies.

• Boys appear to develop food allergies more than girls.

• Food allergies may be a trigger for or associated with other allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis9 and eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.

•  Although childhood allergies to milk, egg, wheat, and soy, generally resolve in childhood, they appear to be resolving more slowly than in previous decades, with many children still allergic beyond age 5 years. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or shellfish are generally lifelong allergies.

I read these points and I nod my head.  I am the parent of the boy who is over five whose severe allergies are not resolving.  Nothing like being a statistic. A hot button issue this year is for schools to have epi pens in case of emergencies after the death of seven year old Amarria Johnson.  Her school did not have her epi-pen but had epi pens prescribed for other kids.  The school nurse and administration refused to use an epi pens that were prescribed to other kids on Amarria.  Her death was senseless one and having an epi pen for such emergencies would have saved her young life and other kids lives in the future.  School districts nationwide are changing their policies and are including epi pens along with bandaids in a schools nurses office.  Hopefully all schools will have this life saving drug soon.

Tonight my husband was home as a rare Monday treat and we were able to have dinner as a family.  I said to Aaron, it’s food allergy awareness week.  I asked him how he wanted to honor the week since he is the person with the food allergies.  He told me he wanted me to come to school and talk about keeping food allergic kids safe.  I hunted around the FAAN website and found a short presentation about food allergies for kids.  They even had a coloring sheet.  I guess I am off to  email the teacher.

That is how the family of the food allergic kid celebrate food allergy awareness week.  How can you all keep a food allergic person safer this week and always?