Denise Bunning

Denise Bunning

Co-Founder of MOCHA (Mothers of Children Having Allergies)

Denise A. Bunning is an educator, support group leader and advocate who works to improve the lives of children with food allergies. Denise earned a BA in Early Childhood/Special Education from Boston College, an MSED in Special Education from Northern Illinois University, and a CAS in School Administration from National Louis University.

Denise co-founded MOCHA (Mothers of Children Having Allergies) – a support group for food-allergic families. In 2010, she served on a committee organized by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health to author Guidelines for Managing Life-Threatening Food Allergies in Illinois Schools, which served as the basis for school board policies state-wide. Denise co-authored The Food Allergy Experience with Dr. Ruchi Gupta. She serves on the Board of Governors for Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), the Founders’ Board of Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, and the Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital.

Denise and her husband of 29 years, Dave, have two sons with life-threatening food allergies and related issues. They are both adults and thriving.