2020 Food Allergy Awareness Week ENews
Dear MOCHA:

We hope your family and friends are safe!
Let’s celebrate how the  FOOD ALLERGY  community is coming together to build awareness, education and hope during  FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK: Sunday, May 10-16, 2020.

We are grateful to all of the teachers, doctors, nurses, hospitals, researchers, support groups, food allergy friendly companies, restaurants, grocery stores, mail carriers, delivery individuals, non-profits, and everyone that is not only helping with the COVID virus, but is specifically helping our community.

Here are just a few activities that you can participate in:



Check out more CFAAR info here: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cfaar/

Check out more UMICH info here: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/food-allergy-center

Stay safe!
Denise Bunning and Anne Thompson
Events
Sunday, May 10
Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for all you do!
Monday, May 11 - 12:30pm CT
NEW! Introducing Baby’s First: Reduce the Risk of Food Allergies

Parents want what’s best for their babies. As research and medicine evolve, it can be difficult to know what's best, including how to ensure our babies are eating the right foods at the right time. Not too long ago, parents and pediatricians believed babies should not be exposed to certain foods in their first year. But things have changed. Research now shows that introducing a variety of foods into a baby’s diet early may help lower the risk of certain food allergies. FARE has created  Baby’s First: Reduce the Risk of Food Allergies   to help new parents tackle early introduction. Check out the website and tune in for a Facebook Live event with Dr. Ruchi Gupta on Monday, May 11, at 12:30 p.m. CT.
Tuesday, May 12 - 12:00pm CT
Virtual Research Symposium to Spotlight Life Amid COVID-19

Managing food allergy is a master class in planning, preparation, resourcefulness and creativity. Life under COVID-19 quarantine brings these skills into even sharper focus. While we’re social distancing to stay safe, it’s more important than ever to come together as a learning community. On Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m., we’re hosting  FARE’s first Virtual Research Symposium: Managing Food Allergies During COVID-19 . Our expert panel will discuss how the food allergy community and their allies are responding to the pandemic as it impacts anaphylaxis management, clinical practice, drug development, and even access to free-from foods. Join us!
Wednesday, May 13
The Top 9-Free Meal Challenge: Eat Top 9-Free for a Meal – or Three!

On Wednesday, May 13, FARE is challenging all of America to eat Top 9-Free for one meal (or one full day). To raise awareness and deepen understanding, we’re inviting the broader community to walk in the shoes of food allergy families. At a time when food shortages make it hard for all families, especially those who rely on specialty free-from foods, we are encouraging everyone to get creative with items in your kitchens and pantries while avoiding egg, milk, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and sesame.  Take the Top 9-Free Meal Challenge  and use the hashtag #Top9Free to share your experience!
Thursday, May 14 - 12:00pm CT
May Webinar Brings New Patients and Families Up to Speed

If you’re newly diagnosed or caring for someone who is, you won’t want to miss our Food Allergy Awareness Week webinar. Join us May 14 at 12:00 p.m. CT for  Food Allergy 101: A Crash Course for the Newly Diagnosed . Dr. Kristin Sokol, an allergist/immunologist and pediatrician in the Washington, D.C. area, will walk you through the information you need to stay safe, from food allergy basics to reading labels and avoiding allergens. In this isolating time, you are not alone. Tune in for help in your journey from diagnosis to living well with food allergies.
3:00pm CT
Food allergy counselor to offer insight and tips!

May 14 at 4pm (EDT)  for the Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center webinar,  “Conversations about living and coping with food allergy: the day-to-day realities.”

Ms. Menzel will discuss the social and emotional aspects of living with food allergy, including strategies for reducing stress and improving quality of life for patients and families. She will be joined by moderator  Malika Gupta, MBBS, MD , a U-M physician-researcher and assistant professor in the division of allergy and clinical immunology at Michigan Medicine.
This Zoom webinar will include the opportunity for live questions, but you are welcome to submit them in advance to  mpreddy@med.umich.edu
The webinar is free and open to all – food allergy patients, families, advocates, clinicians and friends nationwide -- but we do ask that you register in advance.   Please click here to sign up.
We hope to interact with you on May 14! 
Kim Menzel, LMSW, ACSW , is a licensed clinical social worker who meets with patients and families at the University of Michigan's food allergy center. 
Malika Gupta, MBBS, MD , is a pediatrician and researcher at Michigan Medicine. She also serves as an assistant professor in the division of allergy and clinical immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School. 
Friday, May 15 - 12:30pm CT
Please join the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma in celebrating Food Allergy Awareness Week. We will host a webinar on Friday, May 15th at 12:30 CST to discuss the latest and greatest in food allergy research as well as topics in bio-behavioral health as it relates to food allergy.

Please click the link below to register for the webinar.
College Corner

College Corner was created by Hannah Safron, John Kosner, and Tori Appelt.
Hannah Safron
  • Freshman (19 years old)
  • University and Major: University of Illinois at Chicago, Public Health



You can connect with me on Spokin at hsafron !
John Kosner
  • Sophomore (20 years old)
  • University and Major: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Molecular and Cellular Biology

You can connect with me on Spokin at johnkoz92 !
Tori Appelt
  • Senior (22 years old)
  • University and Major: University of Arizona, Public Health




You can connect with me on Spokin at toriwong !
Spokin's Top Rated Colleges
 College is a transformative time in every young adult’s life, and luckily there are many schools who take food allergies as seriously as their students' futures. Spokin users have shared over 150 reviews for colleges nationwide. See the 20 Top Rated allergy-friendly schools to make college application season just a little bit easier.
Dining Hall Free of the 'Big 8'
Serving increasing numbers of students with allergies, University of North Texas joins Michigan State in offering a dining hall free of the most common food allergens.
A Message to Your High Schooler or College Student
Are roommates, friends, classmates, and professors aware of food allergy needs? Find tips and important reminders for your child as they navigate the challenges of greater independence.
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Contact Us!
Denise@MOCHAllergies.org
afieldthomp@aol.com
Non-Allergic Food for Thought:

The world is not free of Milk, Egg, Tree Nut, Shellfish,
Peanut, Fish, Soy, Wheat, Seeds.
It is our job as parents to give our children the
Education,
Encouragement,
Experience and
Enthusiasm
To get out there and live their lives to the fullest - safely.
MOCHA is a group of parents sharing information and supporting each other. MOCHA offers support, education, and friendship, to help make managing your child’s food allergies just a little bit easier. Check out our website for the most current news and resources. Click the sign up link above to be added to our email distribution!
Disclaimer : M.O.C.H.A. is not a professional or medical organization. It is a group of parents sharing information and supporting each other. The discussions, meeting minutes, handouts, speakers, agendas, and other products of our support group do not constitute medical and/or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Always discuss individual health questions and medical issues with a qualified personal physician.