The 3rd Annual FAAN Walk for Food Allergy will take place Saturday, October 13 in Glen Island Park in New Rochelle.
The 3rd Annual FAAN Walk for Food Allergy will take place Saturday, October 13 in Glen Island Park in New Rochelle. A group of motivated residents from the Westchester area are joining forces with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), to build public awareness and raise money to help protect children with life-threatening food allergies.
Approximately 15 million Americans, including nearly 6 million children, have a food allergy, which is the leading cause of anaphylaxis (a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death) outside the hospital setting and results in more than 300,000 ambulatory-care visits per year among children. Eight foods account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions in the U.S. – dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds), wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Approximately 780,000 residents and 176,000 children in the state of New York have a food allergy.
This year’s Walk Youth Ambassador is Valley Cottage’s Caitlin Furey. Caitlin is 8 years old and is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, soy, chick peas, and lentils. Caitlin said that by participating in the walk she hopes “to provide information to people about food allergies and help work to find a cure.”
Lee Goldberg, anchor of WABC’s Eyewitness News Accu-Weather coverage and father of a food allergic child, will serve as Honorary Chair of the FAAN Walk in Westchester. Dr. Jennifer Kim will serve as Honorary Medical Chair.Dr. Kim is a clinician and clinical researcher in the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute. Enjoy Z100 DJs, carnival games, jumpy castles, an obstacle course, art projects, soccer, free giveaways, and more.
Registration and activities begin at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. Last year, the walk raised over $200,000. To register, donate, or for more information visit foodallergywalk.org/westchester_ny12.
