YES! I have been interested in starting one in my area (south jersey area). Please contact me off the board if you would like to discuss further, I am not sure where you are located. Thanks!

Are you aware of the Food Allergy Support Group of Monmouth County? I'm in Ocean County, and it's about a 45-minute ride for me, so I haven't been able to attend meetings since they're on Monday evenings. But I stay on their mailing list. What southern NJ county are you in?

I'm in northern monmouth county, Red bank was too far for me, too. Interested as well.
ARlene

Caroline's mom - I'll get the Monmouth Support Group information for you. I don't have it handy now. But I'm positive there is a northern NJ support group. There's a woman on these boards who appeared on CN8 on cable at one point (my mother taped it for me, she's in Essex County) who's in northern NJ. Can't remember her name. I'll see what I can find out for you. Maybe the Monmouth Group knows of other groups in the state.

Caroline's Mom - here's the address:
Food Allergy Support Group of Monmouth County
1 Branch Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701
If you email me, I can give you the leader's telephone number. She's really helpful.
my email: [email]klorenzo2@cs.com[/email]
By the way I see you're in Verona! My husband's from West Caldwell and used to work in Verona. Small world!

The Food Allergy Support Group of Central New Jersey meets in Bridgewater. My email is listed if you would like more info.
Andrea

Caroline's Mom - I replied to your email but it came back to me as unknown. If you have a new address, email me again. I have info for you.

moving this up because I am interested in a support group in middlesez county. Redbank is too far and I am not sure where Bridgewater is.

We live in Old Tappan, NJ Bergen County
Anyone near by???
Ginger

Im interested!
I'm originally from Monmouth County (Howell), but I now live in Hoboken (Hudson Cty, just outside NYC). My family still lives in Howell, so I could do either. let me know who's interested.
BTW -- Bridgewater is in somerset county -- near basking ridge (if that's familiar) it's sort of north/central jersey.

reraising for saknjmom
Love this site
Synthia

There is a great support group for South-Central NJ which meets in Princeton every month. On alternate months we have speakers and open discussion. There are playgroups, non-food holiday parties and they even visited a Fire/EMT station to play in the ambulance and learn about it. We are now doing some advocacy in our area--letter writing campaigns to help push through the implementation of EMT/EPI law, restaurant education and more. To get on the distribution list, please email the group's co-ordinator at [email]bmwlaw123@aol.com[/email]. I hope some of you in Jersey can join us!

I just received information in the mail from the Food Allergy Support Group that I thought others might find of interest. (I have nothing to do with this group; I am just posting in case someone else is interested) They will be hosting the following workshops:
Feb 4 -- Coping Strategies for Parents
March 3 -- Paramedic Responses to Anaphylactic Emergencies
April 7 -- Emergency Room Treatment of Anaphylaxis
These all start at 7:30 at
Asthma, Sinus & Allergy Center
1 Branch Ave.
Red Bank
For info, contact:
[email]ggckc@yahoo.com[/email]
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Ellen
Allergic to Shellfish/ Mom to Jesse 9/01 who has PA
[This message has been edited by ElleMo (edited January 26, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by ElleMo (edited January 29, 2004).]

I'm in Union COunty, NJ. Red Bank's really not that far for me. ABout 45 minutes.

Hi
I live in Northern NJ and have a PA son. I would love to find a support group. It has been a pretty tough few months emotionally and I could really use some sympathetic ears instead of "what are you insane" looks. If anyone knows of one please let me know. Thanks alot
Julie

Soapyjo, I emailed that support group, thanks.
Nutless(julie?? sorry now I cant remember), I can use an understanding ear also. How old is your pa son? My son is 6.
Flo

Hello Flo
My son is 4 now. He was diagnosed when he was 18 months old and we confirmed with a RAST test when he turned 3. Somedays it feels impossible. I have alot of problems with the moms in his class. One woman actually complained to the teacher that it was not fair to her daughter or the other kids to not be able to bring in nut products or have to worry about ingredients for snack time. If my son didnt love his teacher so much I would pull him from the school but I dont think that is the answer either. Max now has his own snack box in the room so I dont have to worry about anyone giving him "may contains" nuts products. Apparently label reading is a very difficult concept for these parents. Whatever...I just need to keep Max safe.
Do you have these problems with your 6 year old at school?
Thanks for listening.... Julie

I'm in Bergen County; if anyone knows of a group in my area please let me know!

Did you ever find a support group in Bergen County? I live in Hawthorne, border to Glen Rock and Ridgewood, NJ. I am really interested in finding a support group for my daughter. She really needs to talk to other kids who are PA. She is 9 and is really becoming aware of her condition.

Hi Lisa - no, haven't heard about any support group in our area yet (although I was looking for one for myself, not my son). I saw your post about your daughter, I am sorry she's struggling with anxiety over her PA. Have you called any of the area hospitals? I know of them have support groups for other things. Hackensack, or Valley in Ridgewood...I would even try St. Joseph's in Paterson since they are a children's hospital (they are excellent too.)
I live in the Paramus area - if you ever want to get a mom's support group going in Bergen county, I'm in! Or if you have time to email me, please do - I'd love to hear how you have handled you dd's PA in the school setting, as you seem to have done an excellent job of keeping her safe! Take care.

New Jersey families, check out this link. It was originally in the Media Forum, thanks to SF:
[url="http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~bvparks/peanut_patrol/peanutpatrol.htm"]http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~bvparks/peanut_patrol/peanutpatrol.htm[/url]
Amy

mcmom, Sorry, I never saw your reply to my message. Nutlessinnj (Julie)is starting a group for parents in the Northwest Bergen, Passaic area and are going to start meeting in Ridgewood on July 27. Don't know if you are still interested.
As far as you question about my handling my daughter's situation in school, she sat at a peanut-free table in the lunch room and at a separate table in the classroom for snack. All of the kids had paper placemats on their desk for snack, which were discarded after. The kids that had peanut and peanut-containing snacks had to wash their hands after snack. She feels a little isolated at school at her table, but she is allowed to bring a friend to sit with her every day as long as their lunch is checked beforehand. The one thing that makes her feel good is that sometimes the kids fight over who will sit with her and it makes her feel really important. She has not really had any trouble in school and the school has become much more peanut aware, due to my vigilance and the nurse has always been my advocate since the principal is from the old school and does not deal with change very well. Dana has been doing somewhat better and has now become penpals with two kids from this site. She seems to have passed this last wave of anxiety, but I am sure their will be more to come. I am really looking forward to the support group starting. It will be so good to talk to other people and share experiences. Friends who do not experience this can listen, but do not necessarily truly understand the magnitude and all facets that are involved, I am looking forward to meeting people who will.

reraising for Mira

We are in Morris County NJ. My 5yo is allergic to tree nuts (esp walnuts), my 3.5yo is allergic to peanuts, treenuts. Anyone near me? I've had a rough few months and realzied a regular support group might be a good option.

The Food Allergy Support Group of Monmouth County will hold its next meeting on Sept. 7, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Asthma, Sinus & Allergy Center, 1 Branch Ave., Red Bank. Guest speaker will be Dr Tina Zecca. We will also discuss the planning of the food-free Halloween party and our participation in The FAAN Walk

Here are a couple of other groups that deal with food allergy support in NJ
[url="http://www.alanewjersey.org/groups/asthmasupport/"]http://www.alanewjersey.org/groups/asthmasupport/[/url]
Essex County
Asthma & Food Allergy Support Group of Northern NJ
Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center
200 South Orange Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039
Meets every third Wednesday. Call for times.
Susan DiAnthony, 973-514-1654, [email]PalKidz@aol.com[/email]
Somerset County
Food Allergy and Asthma Support Group of Central New Jersey
Friends Conference Center at Arbor Glen
100 Monroe Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Call for meeting dates and times.
Suzanne Cardali, 908-685-2275
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Jana
[url="http://www.seattlefoodallergy.org"]www.seattlefoodallergy.org[/url]

If anyone is in Ocean County, please email me.

I am in Northern NJ, Sussex County. Anyone know of a group in my area?? If so please e-mail me.
Thanks.

Hello! Any Southern NJ moms or dads? Any support groups already in the area?