Country Music Star Carries Important Message to Legislators in Congress on
Behalf of FAAN and 11 Million Adults and Children with Food Allergies
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Country star Trace Adkins traveled to
Capitol Hill recently to help 11 million adults and children with food
allergies. Adkins joined the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's (FAAN)
Kids' Congress on Capitol Hill, where children from 30 states met with their
representatives in Congress. Adkins and the FAAN junior ambassadors advocated
for Federal funding for food allergy research and to express their support for
the "Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act," a bill introduced by
Representative Nita M. Lowey (NY) to establish food allergy guidelines for
U.S. schools. Adkins, his wife and daughter met with Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist (TN), Senator Lamar Alexander (TN) and Representative Marsha
Blackburn (TN).
Adkins and his wife discovered that their daughter suffered from a food
allergy when she was an infant. Like tens of thousands of other parents with
children who suffer from food allergies, the Adkins spent many hours on the
Internet researching different foods and organizations for assistance and
guidance. It was at that time that they found FAAN.
"Through my family's personal experience, I've learned that food allergies
affect the daily lives of more than 11 million Americans and that quite often,
many do not take food allergies very seriously or even know much about them,"
said Adkins. "I hope, through my involvement with FAAN, I can bring more
needed awareness and support for a cure."
Adkins will further promote food allergy awareness through the sale of
newly developed Trace Adkins PAL (Protect A Life) Bears to be sold on his Web
site at [url="http://www.traceadkins.com."]http://www.traceadkins.com.[/url] Proceeds from each purchase of the Trace
and/or Hot Mama PAL Bear will go towards continued research of food allergies
and ultimately a cure. Fans who purchase the bears also will receive a special
autographed letter from the star.
"Our FAAN members are thrilled to have Trace on board to bring about
widespread awareness of food allergies," said Anne Munoz-Furlong, founder and
CEO of FAAN. "As a parent, Trace knows the daily struggles children with food
allergies face at each meal, in their interactions with friends, at school,
and in finding the proper information and educational support to provide
safeguards against reactions. Trace's support and notable voice will assist
us in increasing awareness about food allergy to help keep children safe."
About Food Allergies
A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly believes that a
harmless substance, in this case a food item, is harmful. In its attempt to
protect the body, the immune system creates specific IgE antibodies to that
food. The next time the individual eats that food, the immune system releases
massive amounts of chemicals and histamines in order to protect the body.
These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the
respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system.
Eight foods account for 90 percent of all reactions in the United States:
milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, etc.), wheat,
soy, fish, and shellfish. Food-allergic reactions result in approximately
30,000 emergency room visits each year. It is estimated that between 150 and
200 people die annually from anaphylaxis to food, including children and young
adults. There is no cure for food allergy. Strict avoidance of the allergy-
causing food is the only way to prevent a reaction.
About FAAN
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is a Virginia-based non-
profit organization representing the 11 million Americans who have a food
allergy. Established in 1991, FAAN's mission is to increase awareness, to
provide education and advocacy, and to advance research on behalf of all those
affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. For more information, visit the
FAAN Web site at [url="http://www.foodallergy.org,"]http://www.foodallergy.org,[/url] or call (800)929-4040. To reach
a board-certified allergist, contact the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology or the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
