World Allergy Week is from 8th to 14th April 2013 is an annual initiative of the World Allergy Organization (WAO), together with its Member Societies, to raise awareness of allergic disease and related disorders and advocate for the provision of training and resources in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of these diseases and asthma, which are rising in prevalence around the world.
WAO established the initiative with the vision of bringing together multiple stakeholder groups including physicians, medical educators, patient advocates, policy makers, the general public, and health care authorities for an integrated approach to addressing the needs of patients who suffer from allergic diseases and asthma and those who provide care for them.
Historically, WAO hosted “World Allergy Day,” in association with the biennial World Allergy Congress, beginning with the first event in July 2005. After recommendations from WAO Member Societies and other associates of WAO to expand the scope and timeline of World Allergy Day so as to facilitate wider participation around the world, the WAO Board of Directors approved the establishment of World Allergy Week in 2011.
There are many ways to get involved. Each year WAO receives stories, audio and video recordings, photographs and press releases from the many programs and activities that take place locally, nationally and regionally due to the innovative planning of participating individuals and organizations. Many of these reports are archived on this website.
WAO provides resources every year regarding the global theme for its Member Societies and information for everyone interested in World Allergy Week.
Visit their website to find out more at http://www.worldallergy.org/worldallergyweek/
And share what you’re doing to raise awareness on Twitter @worldallergy, #worldallergyweek and Facebook: worldallergyorg
You can also watch a video from Ruby Pawanker, President of the World Allergy Organisation on YouTube
So, what are you doing this week to raise awareness of life threatening allergies, asthma and allergic disease? When will it be just another condition and not something to be embarassed about? When will people stop judging those with allergies? When will it stop being acceptable to brand those with serious allergies ‘fussy eaters’ and when will it I stop feeling like somehow it’s my fault I have them?
If the government would raise the profile of allergies and recognise the restricted lives we have to lead to remain safe it would help in turn to hopefully provide more allergy research, support, more safe places to eat, restaurants would have to provide some safe options, train their staff etc.
Let’s make this a better place to live for people with allergies. I’m not asking much. Just believe me and trust me when I say I really can’t eat that, it will make me ill and could kill me. I am not making this up, I am not lying and until things change I will continue to eat mostly food I have prepared myself at home, avoiding all processed foods, turning down dinner invitations, not eating out, buying only fresh basic produce and cooking everything from scratch. Going out doesn’t have to be about food, but it is very sad that it can’t be.
Just do that for a week and you’ll see how hard it is. It is not a choice. It is just life and you have to live it, love it and get on with it.
Leave a Reply