Food Allergy Awareness Week 2020: Finding Community Online

Thank you to everyone who helped to promote greater understanding of food allergies during Food Allergy Awareness Week 2020. Across the food allergy community, we overcame unusual circumstances this year to make impacts at home that will carry forward into the world. As we look back on the many ways our community raised awareness, we take pride in the creativity and commitment shared by food allergy advocates on behalf of the 32 million Americans living with this potentially life-threatening disease. 

As we all shift to a more digital lifestyle, our community representation was stronger than ever. Nearly 73,000 viewed FARE's website, and more than 58,000 engaged in Food Allergy Awareness Week across social media.

Here are just a few of the week’s highlights.

• Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 10 – The food allergy community showered moms with appreciation, including heartwarming testimonials from our Teen Advisory Group, helpful hints for food-free activities to make her day special, and allergy-friendly brunch recipes powered by our friends at JUST.
• Baby’s First: Monday, May 11 – FARE hosted “Baby’s First: Reduce the Risk Through Early Introduction,” a Facebook Live Q&A with Dr. Ruchi Gupta that explained how early introduction of certain foods can help reduce food allergy risk in babies. The session has already earned 5,500 views. 

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  Virtual Research Symposium: Tuesday, May 12 – To help families meet the challenges of this uncertain time, FARE presented “Managing Food Allergies During COVID-19,” our first-ever Virtual Research Symposium. Drs. Giselle Mosnaim and Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn and FARE Senior Advisor Carina Venter, PhD RD, were joined by moderator and FARE Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Tom Casale, in a panel discussion that offered guidance on anaphylaxis management, nutrition and more during the pandemic. More than 1,600 families were part of this online conversation made possible by DBV Technologies.

• Going Top 9-Free for Anaphylaxis Awareness Day: Wednesday, May 13 – This year FARE launched our inaugural Top 9-Free Meal Challenge, encouraging every household from coast to coast to avoid one allergen, or all of the nine top allergens, for one meal or one full day. More than 1,200 participants shared photos or videos of their allergy-friendly creations on social media using the hashtag #Top9Free.
• Food Allergy 101: Thursday, May 14 – Dr. Kristin Sokol presented “Food Allergy 101: A Crash Course for the Newly Diagnosed” to help individuals and families at the start of their food allergy journey master the skills needed to live well with food allergies. Nearly 600 registered for the webinar.
• Hope for the Future: Friday, May 15 – Dr. Kari Nadeau previewed her upcoming book, The End of Food Allergy, on Facebook Live. Co-written with food allergy parent Sloan Barnett, the book presents recent findings in food allergy prevention and treatment. An audience of 4,900 has viewed the Q&A.
• Ways to Get Involved: 
  • Teal Appeal: Through May 31, the impact of your gift to FARE is doubled by a generous matching donation up to $50,000 from OWYN.

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    Rock Your Teal: Throughout the week, people took to social media wearing their finest teal apparel. We hope you'll keep sharing your teal togs all month using the #TealTakover hashtag.

  • Join the Registry: Now 11,000 members strong, the FARE Patient Registry empowers food allergy families to drive research forward. Share your food allergy story with the Registry today.

We're excited to extend our efforts beyond Food Allergy Awareness Week. Through the end of May and beyond, FARE will continue to raise awareness and bring dynamic programming that will keep the momentum building:

• A Conversation With Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-6): On Wednesday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the author of the FASTER Act (H.R. 2117) will discuss how Congress is working to protect and help Americans during COVID-19. Rep. Matsui will also discuss the prospects for the FASTER Act, the sesame labeling legislation that has now been introduced in both chambers. Register today!

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  Story Pirates: Calling all those who Contain: Courage®: We want to hear from you, and we want to share your story with the world! FARE is teaming up with Story Pirates to amplify the voices of children whose lives are affected by food allergies. Get ready, get excited, and in the meantime, stay tuned for more information on when and where to submit your stories along with tips, prompts, and tricks!

We are grateful to all of you for engaging with these initiatives and supporting our mission to promote life, health and hope for all those living with food allergies. Thank you for being part of the FARE community.