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CONTACT:
FAAN Media Relations
(703) 691-3179
media@foodallergy.org
GHOSTS AND GOBLINS NOT AS SCARY AS CANDY FOR THE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN WITH FOOD ALLERGIES
Nationwide Coin Collection Campaign Raises Funds for Food Allergy Education and Research
(Fairfax, Va., October 17, 2006) — Most children can’t wait to dig into theirpillowcases and sacks to uncover the numerous amount of candy and goodies they collected on Halloween night. However, not all children are able to enjoy dressing up in their favorite costumes, going trick-or-treating door to door, and freely consuming the treats they receive at each home. For those 3 million American youth with food allergies to common ingredients such as peanuts, tree nuts, or milk, one of those hidden ingredients in a piece of candy could be deadly.
For the fourth consecutive year, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), www.foodallergy.org, is launching its Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy Coin Collection Campaign, as another alternative to traditional trick-or-treat activities. Participating children and families nationwide will collect change, instead of candy, in clearly marked, bright purple Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy coin collection boxes. Collectively, the quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies will all be used for food allergy education and ongoing research as there is no cure for food allergy.
“For the 1 in 25 Americans under the age of 18 with food allergies, Halloween can be the scariest time of year,” said Anne Muñoz-Furlong, Founder and CEO of FAAN. “It is important to build widespread national awareness of food allergies and to highlight the risks they pose to children. Through our Web site, you can order a free coin collection box or download a decal to paste on a coffee can to collect funds. FAAN wants everyone to be safe while having fun this Halloween.”
Prizes will be awarded to children for various levels of fundraising. Incentives for participation include a Multi Voice Changer Mega Phone, MP3 player, X-Style Kaleidoscope, an Icebar Radio with headphones, and a brand new bicycle as the grand prize. All contributions to FAAN must be received via the Web site or postmarked by November 30, 2006, to be counted toward prize values.
Families or teachers interested in participating in the Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy Coin Collection Campaign should contact FAAN at (800) 929-4040 or visit their Web site at www.foodallergy.org.
The Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy Coin Collection Campaign is sponsored by Abbott's Ross Products Division, makers of EleCare®.
To request an interview with Anne Muñoz-Furlong,
please contact FAAN by phone (703) 691-3179 or by email
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ABOUT FAAN
Founded in 1991, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is the world leader in food allergy information. FAAN, a nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, VA, is dedicated to increasing public awareness about food allergy and anaphylaxis, to providing education, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies. The organization has just under 30,000 members in the United States, Canada, and 62 other countries.
FAAN provides information about food allergy and educational resources to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials. Educational materials published by FAAN are reviewed for medical accuracy by the FAAN Medical Advisory Board, which is comprised of 14 of the country's leaders in food allergy science and medicine. In addition to printed materials, FAAN also sponsors awareness programs such as Food Allergy Awareness Week, Food Allergy Conferences, and the Mariel C. Furlong Awards for Making a Difference as well as fundraising walks across the country. Educational materials and information about special programs are also available online at www.foodallergy.org, www.fankids.org, and www.faanteen.org.
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