Food Allergy Research & Education Lights Up the Empire State Building to Draw Attention to Food Allergy Epidemic

McLEAN, Va. (May 13, 2019) – Today, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), the world’s leading food allergy advocacy organization and the largest private funder of food allergy research, kicked off Food Allergy Awareness Week 2019 by lighting the Empire State Building teal to raise awareness of food allergies, a growing public health crisis. 

“There is no cure for food allergy, and the current standard of care forces families and children to rely first on epinephrine for a serious reaction, followed by a trip to the emergency room. The status quo is unacceptable,” said Lisa Gable, FARE CEO. “More than 32 million Americans live with food allergies, and though we have seen amazing advances in the food allergy field over the last decade, the needs of our community are greater than they have ever been before, making the imperative to find a cure stronger than it’s ever been.”

During Food Allergy Awareness Week, FARE is also shining a light on its Contains: Courage™ Campaign, a transformative five-year fundraising and awareness effort supporting families living with food allergies and educating all communities about the disease. Since launching in December 2018, $53 million has been committed to the campaign, supporting researchers’ efforts to find a cure for food allergy. FARE plans to continue increasing awareness of this crisis, ensuring that communities have the tools they need to spread the word about food allergies, while raising a historic amount of funding for research, therapies and diagnostics to improve the overall quality of life of individuals who are affected.

Additional 2019 Food Allergy Awareness Week activities sponsored by FARE include: 

• FARE’s 20^thAnniversary Spring Luncheon – On May 9, FARE’s NYC luncheon featured “The Future of Food,” a fireside chat moderated by Rob Reid, best-selling author and host of the podcast, “After On.” The discussion highlighted innovation in food allergy research, consumer demand and the latest science.  
• A Contains: Courage™Corporate Think Tank– On May 14, FARE will address a focus group of influential corporate leaders to discuss the current food allergy public health crisis. Through the presentation of high-level research findings, compelling life stories and interactive conversation, FARE aims to demonstrate the need to further food allergy advocacy, awareness and product advancements.
• Fighting Food Allergies: From Vision to Action –On May 16, FARE will join forces with the J.P. Morgan Endowments & Foundations Group for an event to share information about current and future treatments and diagnostics from leaders in the space and discuss how FARE is leading the way toward novel therapeutics and heightened awareness. We will also hear from a parent who will share her personal food allergy journey and the impact of a food allergy diagnosis on everyday life.

These discussions are more important now than ever before. According to recent FARE-commissioned data, diagnoses of anaphylactic food reactionshave risen by 377 percent in the U.S. since 2007. Parents of children with food allergies as well as adults who live with this disease must make decisions about their safety every single day, at every meal and in every new environment. They are often responsible for saving their own lives in the case of an emergency. With the support of the community and its allies, FARE’s goal is to change this standard of care by developing new therapies and, ultimately, finding a cure. 

To join the cause and help inspire action in your own community you can: 

• Become a part of the Contains: Courage Campaign by sharing the campaign video on social media. 
• Use FARE’s resources to educate others about the severity of food allergy. 
• Visit the volunteer portal on www.foodallergy.org to explore how you can support your local food allergy community. 
• Show your spirit by wearing teal, the color of food allergy awareness, on May 16. 

FARE extends its appreciation to the Empire State Building for going teal on May 12, the first night of Food Allergy Awareness Week, and to the food allergy community for joining in efforts to raise food allergy awareness. FARE also thanks OWYN for generously supporting Food Allergy Awareness Week. 

For more information on FARE’s life-changing work and to learn more about the Contains: Courage™ campaign visit www.foodallergy.org/containscourage.