News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   RSS Icon Subscribe | Receive news releases by e-mail

PIX11, FAI, & FAAN Partner for Food Allergy Awareness Week on PIX11 Morning News March 7-11

NEW YORK (March 7, 2011) — The Centers for Disease Control estimates approximately 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies, with more being diagnosed each day. To help educate viewers and explain the challenges for food allergy sufferers and their families, PIX11 Morning News has partnered with two national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, The Food Allergy Initiative (FAI), an organization dedicated to finding a cure for food allergies, improving diagnosis and treatment and advocating for increased federal funding for research, and FAAN (The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network), an organization that works to increase awareness, provide advocacy and education, and advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. Beginning today, PIX11 Morning News will be airing a week long initiative to raise awareness of these allergies, with segments airing Monday, March 7th through Friday, March 11th at 6:55, 7:20, and 8:20 a.m. 

"Food allergies affect millions of people everyday - we, at PIX11, are taking this opportunity to feature developments and resources--not only for those who have food allergies--but for the many of us who have relationships with people with these allergies,” said Eric Meyrowitz, PIX11 Vice President/General Manager. “Food Allergy Awareness Week will feature some of the nation’s top doctors and common challenges, as well as people’s everyday experiences, among other relevant topics.”   

Segments include:

  • ALLERGY 101: a primer on food allergies, plus information on new medical research;
  • HOW TO COPE: Tips on how to live with food allergies, medications, treatments and products;
  • WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY: A live demonstration of what to do if someone is having an allergic reaction;
  • SHOPPING SMART: PIX11 will shop with a allergist and learn how to read food labels;
  • TRAVEL: Traveling with food allergies is difficult, PIX11 will showcase the best food allergy travel destinations;
  • THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ALLERGIES: PIX11 will explore how allergies affect the sufferer and the family;
  • SAFE SCHOOLS: PIX11 visits a school in Long Island and in New York City already practicing safe public food services and allergy safe zones;
  • FOOD CHALLENGE: PIX11 will follow a patient taking a food challenge at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York;
  • LAW & ORDER: Legislators who are making a difference; PIX11 profiles City Council Member Jessica Lappin, who sponsored bill Int. # 818A which established the food allergy reference posters which are now required in New York City restaurants;
  • COOKING FOR ISAIAH: A local mother from Brooklyn developed a gluten-free/dairy-free cookbook to help prepare meals for her son. Sylvana Nardone, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine, will be on set with her son Isaiah to cook an allergy-free dish with the PIX11 Morning News team;
  • ALLERGIES & THE CITY: A profile of a family raising awareness in lower income communities;
  • ALLERGIC GIRL: detailed information on bloggers with useful sites and online information.

"Every three minutes, food allergies send an American to the emergency room," said Mary Jane Marchisotto, Executive Director, FAI. "The Food Allergy Initiative is proud to partner with PIX11 to raise awareness of this growing international health problem."

”Food allergies are a potentially life-threatening medical condition and their prevalence appears to be on the rise,” said Julia Bradsher, CEO of FAAN. “FAAN is grateful for PIX11’s efforts to educate the public about the seriousness of this condition.”

PIX11’s Dr. Steve will kick off coverage of Food Allergy Awareness Week on PIX11 News at Ten on Monday night. Dr. Steve will also be answering food allergy questions all week long. Live chat with Dr. Steve and the PIX11 News team at pix11.com or visit facebook.com/wpix or Twitter @wpix to submit questions.

About PIX11

Founded in 1948 and owned by Tribune Broadcasting, a division of the Tribune Company, WPIX-TV has long been regarded as a groundbreaking station in New York. In September 2006, PIX11 became the flagship station of the CW Television Network, and its successful primetime programming, award winning news, extensive library of hit movies, first-run programs, off-network sitcom favorites, quality children's programming and public affairs shows, as well as outstanding event coverage, have contributed to the station's success. PIX11 has earned over 180 Emmy Awards, including two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning News Program and multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Newscast.  The station has been honored with numerous other awards for excellence in reporting, news coverage, public affairs, specials and features. In addition, PIX11 has been the official broadcast television home of the New York Mets since 1999.  For more information, please visit www.pix11.com. Media Contact: Jessica Bellucci 212-210-2626 jbellucci@tribune.com.

About FAI

The Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for food allergies.  FAI was founded in 1998 by concerned parents and grandparents to support basic and clinical research worldwide; public policies to increase federal funding for research and create safer environments for those afflicted; and educational programs to increase awareness and understanding. The largest private source of funding for food allergy research, FAI has committed nearly $72 million toward the fulfillment of its mission.  For more information, visit www.faiusa.org call 212-207-1974, or e-mail info@faiusa.org. Media Contact: Barbara Rosenstein 212-207-1998 brosenstein@faiusa.org.

About FAAN

Founded in 1991, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is the world leader in information, resources, and programs for food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that afflicts as many as 15 million Americans, including almost 6 million children. A nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, Va., FAAN is dedicated to increasing public awareness of food allergy and its consequences, to educating people about the condition, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by it. FAAN provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials. On May 9, 2012, FAAN announced its intent to merge with the other leading food allergy organization, the Food Allergy Initiative, pending state regulatory approval. To become a member or for more information, please visit FAAN at www.foodallergy.org.

Media Contact

Nancy Gregory
Media Relations
(703) 563-3066
E-mail: ngregory@foodallergy.org