I never thought that I would have to revisit this topic. After all, our society is becoming acutely aware of food allergies. But just the other day, a friend in the food allergy community said, “people don’t die from a milk allergy.” On the contrary, severe milk allergies are real. And it’s time they gain some respect.

We’ve Come So Far. Or Have We?

My first major brush with milk allergy disbelief came during a call with a certifying agency about eight years ago. They were involved in lab testing for gluten-free food certification, and thought there was a huge opportunity in dairy-free certification. I inquired about liability issues, and they stated, “that shouldn’t be a problem since milk doesn’t cause life-threatening reactions.” After hanging up the phone, I emailed Sabrina Shannon’s story to them. Sabrina was lost to a milk allergy tragedy, and her story sparked some of the first food allergy legislation. I never heard from that certifying agency again.

I later read a WebMD report on the need for better food allergy guidelines. It briefly introduced me to Matt Mitchell, a then 20 year old college student who had experienced several close calls due to a lifelong milk allergy. His emergency room visits were frequent, including one on Christmas day. He had consumed dark chocolate that was made on shared equipment with milk chocolate. In the article, Matt’s mother Lynda stated, “I call milk allergies the Rodney Dangerfield of food allergies. They don’t get the respect that peanut allergies get because most people confuse them with lactose intolerance. But just like peanuts or shellfish, a milk allergy can be life threatening.”

Lynda’s words prompted me to initially write this story seven years ago. And today, I’m bringing new life to the topic in remembrance of all who have been lost to a milk allergy. When someone doesn’t believe you, send them here. I sadly have ample proof that anaphylactic and life-threatening reactions to milk allergies are real.

Why We Must Remember that Milk Allergies are Real

Fortunately, at last check, Matt was in his mid-twenties and still speaking out for milk allergies. But not all milk allergic kids and adults have been so lucky. In the past several months, the number of milk allergy-related deaths has surpassed peanut and tree nut allergies in the news.

Do People Die from Milk Allergies? Unfortunately, Yes, They Do

Sabrina’s story still brings me to tears, and now, so do these:

These are publicized events from this year alone. There are many more stories from years past, and that families didn’t wish to share. Not to mention the loss of individuals with multiple food allergens (including milk) where the culprit remained unknown.

I believe that anyone with a food allergy or intolerance of any magnitude should be taken seriously. But please be aware that milk is a top allergen throughout the world, and it has the ability to cause severe, and even fatal, reactions.

Ways to Support the Milk Allergy Community

Every May, FARE promotes Food Allergy Awareness Week. It’s a great time to get involved in the Teal movement and to learn more. But there are also some very personal causes that have been created to support food allergy awareness.

Caroline Lorette tragically passed away at the age of 14 after having an allergic reaction to dairy. Her parents started The Sweet Caroline Foundation to promote allergy awareness and offer allergy education programming for schools and organizations. They also award a scholarship to students who develop and implement innovative ideas to bring awareness and education to students, adults and the general public.

In 2017, 3 year old Elijah-Alavi Affiq was given a grilled cheese sandwich by an adult at his New York City Pre-K school. Elijah was severely allergic to dairy, and unfortunately did not survive the incipent. His father, Thomas Silvera, co-founded the Elijah-Alavi Foundation in honor of his memory and to bring awareness to the severity of food allergies and anaphylaxis. Their mission is to provide training and education in city school and daycare centers at no cost to them. Thomas shared this video, which further explains their loss, initiative, and how you can help.

Please Share- – My Name is Thomas Silvera and I am the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation. On January 16th my son Elijah-Alavi Affiq Thomas Silvera would have been turning 5 years old today. I created this video in honor of his memory & his birthday to bring awareness to the severity of food allergies and anaphylaxis. The Elijah-Alavi Foundation and #elijahsecho is an initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of severe food allergy/anaphylaxis, asthma w/allergies education and training. The #elijahsecho movement was born from the tragic incident that occurred in a New York City Pre-K school/Daycare center on November 3rd, 2017. The incident of which, soon after caused my son Elijah-Alavi to pass away. Despite the school having well documented all his severe food allergy and his severe allergy to dairy products, an adult employee had fed my son Elijah-Alavi a grilled cheese sandwich. Following the incident, Medical professionals worked on Elijah-Alavi as he was going into anaphylactic shock. The school had failed to report what Elijah-Alavi had been fed. Soon after, my son Elijah-Alavi passed away. The Elijah-Alavi Foundation Inc nonprofit 501 (c) (3) Was able to pass a Law called Elijah's Law #A10031 in the Senate and we’re working harder to move this bill further. we have also aided in the amendment of the NYC Department of Health Codes by providing safety with educational training provide by Code Ana and with Kaléo pharmaceutical donating 7500 Auvi-Q (epinephrine auto-injectors, USP) to all NYC regulated daycare centers to protect our young children. Let's continue to create and build awareness by putting a name and face to the importance of severe food allergy, anaphylaxis and asthma safety in the inner city schools/pre-K and daycare centers in NYC and with the hopes to continue nationally. The Elijah-Alavi Foundation Inc. is one that is very close to many of our hearts, and we are working very hard to honor Elijah's memory. With every donation given, it will go to directly to the Elijah-Alavi Foundation Inc so we can utilize our mission/initiative by providing the training and education in these New York City Schools/Daycare centers etc at no cost to them. Come and stand with my family and I. We encourage you to share Elijah-Alavi story and video by using the hashtag #elijahsecho and promote food allergy/anaphylaxis and asthma awareness and safety.You can click on the donate button below or click on the link https://www.facebook.com/beelijahsecho/#foodallergies #anaphalaxsis #NYC #daycare #PSA FoodAllergyNY AAFA's asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program NoNuts4Me Kids With Food Allergies Foundation #ElijahsEcho PTA of PS 185 The Locke School of Arts and Engineering End Allergies Together Parents of Children With Multiple Food Allergies No Nuts Moms Group Support Group and Forum- All Food Allergies Welcome MILK ALLERGY MOMMY ARMY ("MAMA") The Dad Good Morning America Food Allergy Moms of Long Island, NY Anaphylaxis Support UK Food Allergy Support – Queens NYC Milk Allergy Mommies Allergy & Asthma Awareness Initiative – AAAI Allergy & Asthma Network NAASTA 1- National African American Surgical Technologist Association Mount Sinai Jaffe Food Allergy Institute Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia Brian Benjamin Allergy Moms Food Allergy Research & Education SnackSafely.com Ruchi Gupta Allergy Reality Red Sneakers For Oakley Fatherly TODAY Parents Parents Tia Mowry Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) No Nuts Moms Group- All Food Allergies Welcome HuffPost ParentsTeva Pharmaceuticals USANut Allergy MumOrangecounty FoodallergyMilk Allergy MommiesFoodallergytalkLee DanielsFood Allergy Support GroupParents of Children With Multiple Food AllergiesNo Nuts Moms Group Support Group and Forum- All Food Allergies Welcome Posted by Thomas Silvera on Sunday, January 13, 2019

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