Food Allergy Patients and Families Gain Skills, Support at FARE National Food Allergy Conference

Adults and Teens Managing Food Allergies Connect, Unite, Inspire in San Antonio

McLEAN, Va. (April 18, 2017) – The 2017 Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) National Food Allergy Conference, to be held April 28-30 in San Antonio, offers knowledge, encouragement and time-tested skills to individuals and families managing food allergy, a serious medical condition that affects 15 million Americans. Conference attendees will receive the information and support they need to stay safe and live well with this life-changing and potentially life-threatening disease.

Speakers at the conference include food allergy researchers, allergists, community advocates, youth leaders, education and disability rights specialists, and many others with valuable insights into this challenging diagnosis. By gathering together experts in all fields of food allergy care, the conference creates a unique opportunity for families and adults managing food allergies to get all their food allergy questions answered in one place, The FARE National Food Allergy Conference is the only national patient conference of its kind and an irreplaceable resource for members of the food allergy community.

“Managing food allergies is an ongoing challenge, every day and especially during life transitions. How can I or my child stay safe in the world – at school, in restaurants, on airplanes, in the homes of friends or family members? What are our rights? How do we thrive in the face of constant challenges?” said Scott Riccio, FARE’s Senior Vice President for Education and Advocacy. “We understand what you’re going through, and we are here to help you find the tools you need, from evidence-based medical care, to resources for social and emotional well-being, to helpful tips for daily living with food allergy.”

This year, to assist members of the food allergy community who would otherwise be unable to participate, FARE has awarded 10 scholarships to individuals and families in need who have not previously attended a FARE National Food Allergy Conference.

A signature educational program, the FARE National Food Allergy Conference features learning opportunities for every audience in the food allergy community, from the newly diagnosed to those with decades of experience managing food allergy. A wide selection of educational sessions for adults living with food allergies and parents managing food allergies with and for their children is complimented by a full track of programming for teen attendees, including an innovation workshop where young people will bring their ideas to life. Sessions include “Food Allergy 101,” “How to Read a Food Label: What Does the Law Require?”, “To Give or Not to Give Epinephrine,” “Partnering With the School Nurse,” “Traveling with Food Allergies,” “Microbiome: How the Inner Workings of the Gut May Cause and Treat Food Allergy,” “Staying Safe in College: How Section 504 and ADA Protect Students With Food Allergies,” “Food Allergies and Bullying: Tips and Tricks to Self-Advocacy” and much more.

At the close of Saturday’s conference programming, 2017 FARE Vision Awards will be presented to honor people and organizations who support FARE in its mission to improve the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments.

The FARE National Food Allergy Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio River Walk.