From FAAN: Food Allergy Study Update

Hello Support Groups:

FAAN would like to share an important study with you located in Chicago, Illinois at Children’s Memorial Hospital Department of Allergy.  Please read below.  Thank you.

Children’s Memorial Hospital Food Allergy Study Update

The Children’s Memorial Food Allergy Study is gaining momentum and gearing up for a big push in 2010 to reach its goal of having 1,000 families participate in the study.

Here’s what’s new:

• The Study recently received a groundbreaking new grant from the National Institute of Health to do genetic analysis that will be the first of its kind in the country. 
• As of November 2009, nearly 600 families have enrolled so they are still looking for another 400 families to participate in the next year. 
• Study visits are now being conducted at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview.
• Evening appointments now available at the main hospital (as late as 5:00 pm).
• Saturday appointments offered once a month.
• The study is able to coordinate the blood draw with your pediatrician or allergist so there is only one poke.
• Funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Chicago Community Trust, The Food AllergyInitiative and other generous donors.

The study team is seeking families from and all over the U.S. to join, not just the Chicago metropolitan area. An eligible family has at least one food allergic child under the age of 21, and both biological parents willing to participate. Participation consists of a one-time visit at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, with optional follow-up visits every one to two years. Visits last only about two hours, medical care or insurance are not affected in any way, and participation is completely voluntary.  Participants receive Target gift cards, validated parking, and goody bags for the kids as well as this beautiful allergy keychain:

  

 What is the situation?

• Peanut allergy occurrence has doubled in the past 5 years.
• Food allergy now affects an estimated 6-8% of children in the United States.
• With the incidence of food allergies increasing so rapidly, the triggers and underlying causes of this condition need to be identified.
• Diagnostic tools are unreliable.
• Avoidance of food allergens is currently our only solution.
• We don’t understand the who, why, or when of food allergy.

 Why are 1,000 trio families needed for the study?

• To do a unique genotyping analysis, the first of its kind in the country
• To have sufficient statistical power to do a genetic analysis and be able to study more than a milliongenetic markers and environmental exposures that potentially affect food allergy.
• To build a solid foundation on which to determine the causes, find better diagnostic and treatment methods for, and eventually maybe even find a cure for food allergy.
• To research the role of genetics, the environment AND the immune system on food allergy

What can you do?

1. Enroll your family in the study.
2. Tell someone about the study. Do you know a friend, relative, neighbor or acquaintance with food allergic kids (anywhere in the country)? Share your experience!
3. Pass out the study’s brochures at your local health food store, allergist’s office, school, day care, support group meeting or pediatrician’s office.
4. Put a blurb about the study on your blog or favorite food allergy website; ask your favorite group or organization to include info about the study in their next newsletter.

So the next time you see a friend, family member, or doctor who shares your concerns about raising kids with food allergies, ask them to call 1.888.573.1833 or email allergystudy@childrensmemorial.org for more information. The study needs to reach its goal by the end of 2010!  Doing something that simple can have a big impact on our understanding of the causes of food allergies in children.  Let’s get the word out!

Kind Regards,

Eleanor Garrow-Majka

Vice President of Education & Outreach

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)