Brian Thompson
Award-winning New Jersey reporter Brian Thompson, of WNBC 4 New York, understands the challenges parents face when they realize that their child has life-threatening food allergies.
His daughter Nikki has food allergies.
“Once we realized she had food allergies, my first reaction, admittedly, was one of disbelief,” Thompson said. “There was no family history, so I was, quite frankly, unaware of how debilitating and potentially life-threatening food allergies can be.”
Thompson is well-known in the New Jersey-New York region for his illustrious career in broadcast journalism. He has been cited six times by the Associated Press for Best Coverage by a New Jersey-Based Correspondent and was awarded the 1st Environmental Journalism Award by the NY/NJ Baykeeper for his reporting on illegal development on the edge of New York’s Harbor.
He is also an active supporter of FAAN, having served as the 2009 Emcee for the Walk for Food Allergy in Long Branch, N.J.
“Because of the efforts of FAAN and others, there is increasing awareness and sensitivity to food allergies,” Thompson said. “The challenge, of course, is that since allergies aren’t about to go away, this sort of outreach needs to be continuous, so that each generation … never loses sight of the dangers.”
The Thompson family has made lifestyle changes as a result of food allergies in a positive way.
“Finally facing up to what afflicts my daughter is, in a way, liberating more than burdensome,” Thompson said. “Yes, we still check the fine print on processed foods, but now we eat less of them … Yes, I find liberation in just knowing more about the foods not just that my daughter eats, but what I eat as well. Her food allergy has increased my sensitivity to a healthier lifestyle for me.
“I am looking forward to great involvement with FAAN and raising the awareness of food allergy in the U.S.”
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