Safety is NOT an Option When it Comes to Allergies
Anaphylaxis Canada and the Canadian MedicAlert® Foundation Respond to Quebec Coroner’s Report
Toronto, May 12, 2006 – Anaphylaxis Canada and the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation are working together to once again reiterate the importance of self-protection for those living with life-threatening allergies.
Last November, the story of Quebec teen, Christina Desforges, made headlines around the world when reports suggested that she had died after kissing her boyfriend who had eaten peanut butter earlier that day. Desforges, who was peanut allergic, was also asthmatic. Her friends were unaware of her food allergy and that she carried an EpiPen®, an epinephrine auto-injector used to treat an allergic reaction.
Yesterday, Quebec Coroner Michel Miron held a press conference to share findings of his investigation and made several recommendations which underscore the need for greater understanding about the risks of asthma and food allergies. According to the report, the teen died of “cerebral anoxia," or lack of oxygen to the brain, following a severe asthma attack. (A summary of the report in French can be found on the Quebec’s Ministry of Public Safety Web site at www.msp.gouv.qc.ca)
The coroner has called on health experts and organizations to set up an education and awareness program for people with asthma in Quebec, as well as awareness and prevention programs for teens at risk for food allergy. Both Anaphylaxis Canada and MedicAlert® applaud the recommendations.
Many people who die from anaphylaxis are also asthmatic. Previous studies have also shown that teens and young adults with food allergies are the highest risk group for fatal, food-induced anaphylactic reactions. Young people may not tell others about their allergies. They may also be reluctant to carry epinephrine and wear medical identification.
“Family, friends and co-workers should be aware of your medical condition and know how to help,” said Laurie Harada, Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada. Sabrina’s Law, new Ontario legislation which aims to protect students at risk of anaphylaxis, requires that children with life-threatening allergies be identified. ”It’s a shared responsibility”, says Harada, who has an 11 year old with multiple food allergies. Parents must provide the school with current medical information about their children so that staff know which students are at risk and how to respond to their needs, especially in an emergency.
“It is important that people with potentially life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis and asthma have medical identification such as MedicAlert. It can help paramedics and first responders understand what might be happening when they first arrive on the scene,” said Dr. Susan Waserman, president of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Anaphylaxis Canada and MedicAlert have a shared goal and vision to protect those living with life-threatening allergies. “MedicAlert services can be used to protect people of all ages living with chronic medical conditions, allergies or special needs,” said Stephen Reid, Director, Marketing and Communications for MedicAlert. “It is important that parents or guardians talk to their children about the need to communicate their conditions and provide them with a MedicAlert product so that it can speak for their children when their children can’t speak for themselves.”
No Child Without
In response to the dramatic increase in allergies, asthma and diabetes among children, MedicAlert has developed a new program to protect children from JK to 14 years old called No Child Without. During the school day, children can come in contact with multiple individuals responsible for their care and safety. Before and after school programs, recess, lunch and the classroom are often looked after by different people.
“In a medical emergency, children can be the most vulnerable because they are often too young, too afraid or too hurt to express themselves,” explained Reid. “That is why parents often feel better knowing their children’s MedicAlert identification can speak for them if they’re not around.”
MedicAlert is working with school boards across the country to implement the No Child Without program. The program is sponsored through the financial support of the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation, businesses, corporations and foundations as well as MedicAlert members to provide children the safety and security that comes with MedicAlert.
Today, 25 schools are piloting the program that includes the participation of more than 280 elementary students. The program is being piloted in Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia. Information collected from the schools has identified 39 different medical conditions, 37 different allergies and 51different medications.
About Anaphylaxis Canada
Anaphylaxis Canada is a leading national non-profit association dedicated to helping people with life-threatening allergies. The organization works with healthcare professionals, educators, government, industry, and other allergy associations to improve safety standards for people at risk of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis Canada also supports and conducts research into anaphylaxis treatment and prevention.
About MedicAlert
Canadian MedicAlert Foundation is the leading provider of emergency medical information services in Canada. MedicAlert was established in 1961 as a national, member-based charity. Today, more than one million Canadians trust MedicAlert to speak for them when they can’t speak for themselves. The Canadian MedicAlert Foundation is endorsed by CAEP (Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians) and NENA (National Emergency Nurses’ Affiliation), and works in partnership with a Canada-wide network of health organizations, hospitals, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, clinics, and health centres.
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For more information, please contact:
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Laurie Harada Executive Director Anaphylaxis Canada Mobile: (416) 904-7772 |
Robert Blair Marketing Manager Canadian MedicAlert Foundation (416) 696-0142 ext. 1251 |
