Activities sections
2012 EpiPen® TAKE ACTION Events
Supporting Education and Research
invites people of all ages to walk (or walk/run in some cities) in support of allergy, asthma and anaphylaxis research and education.
The fundraising events will take place in several cities across Canada during the month of May.
Sign up today to participate, donate and/or volunteer at an event near you!
Urgent Message about Food Labelling Regulations
Please keep advocating for passage of the proposed federal food labelling regulations.
There have been media reports that the beer industry is strongly opposed and there is concern that theatens to derail final approval of the proposed changes. Allergy associations and Allergic Living are urging their members and the public to take the following steps:
- Call Prime Minister Stephen Harper office at (613) 992-4211 to express your concern.
- Please join Allergic Living's write-in campaign.
- Contact your Member of Parliament. Click here to find your local MP by postal code.
Please tell the Prime Minister and your MP that people with food allergies and their families need and want clearer food labeling on all food packages and beverage labels. We have waited too long as it is for these important updates to the regulations.
See also the initial campaign from Allergic Living magazine.
Anaphylaxis (severe allergies) Awareness - in the news
Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI) is a network of Canadian families formed to raise greater awareness of the realities Canadians with severe allergies face every day.
Their primary goal is to urge Parliamentarians and federal officials to respond to allergy concerns involving public awareness and education, food safety, transportation, and research; with an ultimate goal to reduce the risks of preventable anaphylactic attacks throughout Canada.
The CAI has made progress by working closely with MP Dean Allison in raising awareness with his Parliamentary colleagues. The Niagara West - Glanbrook MP has Motion M-230 in the House of Commons which reads: That in the opinion of the House, anaphylaxis is a serious concern for an increasing number of Canadians and the government should take the appropriate measures necessary to ensure these Canadians are able to maintain a high quality of life.
See the Press Release “Families discuss with MP next steps on Anaphylaxis Motion M-230”
Take Action
Does your MP support Motion M-230? Call, and ask. Seek support on behalf of all Canadian families living with severe allergies.
How you can help...
- Please contact your MP: phone, write or visit their office.
- Consider including a picture of your family.
- Tell your MP how anaphylaxis affects your life and some of the challenges it presents.
- Tell your MP about Anaphylaxis Motion-230
- Ask your MP to please contact Minister Allison to offer support.
- Ask your MP to support anaphylaxis initiatives that come before the House of Commons, on behalf of your family.
Our Members of Parliament are there to help and they want to know what issues are important to us.
Click here for your local MP’s address
You can mail your letter to Ottawa addressed to: NAME, M.P., House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6. Postage is not required if mailed in a standard #10 letter envelope.
MPs are often in their office on Fridays and for various weeks throughout the year. Their office will be happy to let you know what those days are.
When you contact your MP, please let us know at . We are keeping a record of MPs who have been contacted.
Triple A Run/Walk 2010
In 2010 we hosted Triple A Run/Walk events in 5 locations:
- Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario • May 1, 2010 [results
]
- Heydenshore Pavilion, Whitby, Ontario • May 15, 2010 [results
]
- Assumption Park, Windsor, Ontario • May 29, 2010 [ results
]
- City Park, Kelowna, British Columbia • May 16, 2010 [for details
]
- DeWolfe Park, Bedford, Nova Scotia • May 30, 2010 [ results
]
Click here for stories and pictures.
The 2010 Run/Walk events support your cause — allergy, anaphylaxis and asthma! Please register and ask friends, family, employers, and neighbours to come along. The more the merrier and the more sucessful we will be.
Those who cannot attend in person can still participate by pledging their financial support and asking others to do the same.
Research and education are the key to living well with allergies, asthma and anaphylaxis... allowing Canadians to have safe, productive and enjoyable lives. This is your chance to make a difference. Join us!
Also click here to learn how you could become a Corporate Sponsor.
Walk to Axe Anaphylaxis
Join the second annual Walk to Axe Anaphylaxis taking place on October 17, 2010 in Toronto's Cedarvale Ravine beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Funds raised will be donated to the Canadian Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Foundation to fund the research of allergic diseases.
To partipate or for more information visit www.walktoaxe.ca.
Order Entertainment® Books
Looking for a great gift? Or do you want to save money yourself? Entertainment® books are packed with 50%-off and 2-for-1 offers at the best places in town. And, by purchasing an Entertainment® book, you will be helping us reach our fundraising goal. [read more...]
Food Allergy Summer Camp (2012 dates: July 23-27)
The Allergy/Asthma Information Association's Prairies Region hosts an annual Food Allergy Summer Camp for children aged 6 to 15 years of age. [read more...]
Triple A Run/Walk 2009
In 2009 we hosted Triple A Run/Walk events in 4 locations:
- Heydenshore Pavilion, Whitby, Ontario • May 24, 2009
- Assumption Park, Windsor, Ontario • May 24, 2009
- City Park, Kelowna, British Columbia • May 24, 2009
- DeWolfe Park, Bedford, Nova Scotia • May 31, 2009
Click here for stories and pictures.
AAIA 2009 Family Conference in St. Catharines, Ontario
"Knowledge For Living with Anaphylaxis, Asthma and Allergies" Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. offers a full day of events and activities for the whole family. [read more...]
AAIA Whitby Run/Walk 2008
For the past five years, AAIA Ontario has hosted the Triple “A” Run/Walk to raise funds for allergy, asthma and anaphylaxis research and education. This year's event raised $15,000, which will be presented to Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF) at the CSACI Annual Meeting in Hamilton this fall. [read more...]
Prevention of Allergy in 2008
The purpose of this editorial by Sicherer and Burks is to describe how the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has changed its recommendations for prevention of allergy in infants at high risk of developing allergies, based on updated evidence. [read more...]
SCAAALAR Study
Researchers from AllerGen NCE Inc., the Allergy, Genes and Environment Network, in partnership with Health Canada, have launched a national study to determine how prevalent food allergies are among the Canadian population and how effective allergen warnings are on food labels. [read more...]
Participate in an Alberta Research Project
Innovative online support programs for children, youth, and parents facing asthma and/or allergies. [read more...]
$60,000 Donated by AAIA to CAAIF for Food Allergy Research
We are very pleased that the AAIA is able to contribute such a substantial sum to food allergy research... [read more...]
Ring Toss Tournament - Peanut Allergy Research Fundraiser
On June 17th, 2006, Deb and Jim LeVangie, AAIA volunteers from Afton, Nova Scotia, spearheaded a 'Washer Toss Tournament' to raise funds for peanut allergy research. [read more...]
Request for Applications (RFA) CAAIF/Walk to Axe Anaphylaxis Research Grant
Announcing the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF) Walk to Axe Anaphylaxis Research Award for anaphylaxis research in Canada.
In 2009, Sophie Nisker started the Walk to Axe Anaphylaxis in honour of her 13th birthday because she and her siblings live with lots of food allergies. Her walk raised $45,000 in its first year. Because of the success, and how many people wanted to help make a difference, the Nisker family decided to organize the Walk again in 2010 and the monies raised went to CAAIF to fund research into allergic diseases.
GOAL: The goal of the program is to fund anaphylaxis research in Canada.
VALUE OF THE AWARD: The Award will provide expenses for research up to a maximum of $63,000
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2011. Please submit your application VIA EMAIL to
Peanut Allergy Alert
Quaker Canada issues national voluntary recall of 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Packs due to possible carton mis-labeling.
For more information go to www.quakeroats.ca.
See also Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Food Recall Alerts
Anaphylaxis Canada announces Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award Winners
Please visit www.whyriskit.ca/pages/posts/anaphylaxis-canada-announces-winners-of-award-for-canadian-students24.php
Urgent - Show Your Support for the Food Allergen Ingredient Labelling Regulations
Your help is urgently needed. We need your voice to tell the Government of Canada that it must pass the food label legislation that it promised 2 years ago. [read more...]
Air Quality Health Index (AQHI): What are you breathing today?
Good news: a new information tool is now available to help Quebeckers in the urban areas of Montréal Island, Gatineau and Québec City be aware of the relative health risk associated with air pollution levels.
If you have breathing problems or heart disease, this information tool will help you stay aware of the health risk based on air pollution levels. Visit the Quebec AQHI website or call this toll-free number (1 866 688-3810) to learn the current AQHI.
You can sign up for free to be alerted by phone when the poor air quality has the potential to affect your health.
How Air Pollution Affects Your Health
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means to your health.
To know more about what Health Canada has to say about the AQHI, please click here.
EpiPen® Auto-Injector: new format
The EpiPen® auto-injector is now available in a new format as a result of some design changes.
The new format has the same medication and is administered in the same way as the original.
To find out about the design improvements please go to www.EpiPen.ca
Niagara families and MP Dean Allison raise awareness for anaphylaxis
June 7, 2010 – Niagara West- Glanbrook Member of Parliament Dean Allison gave notice for a motion in the House of Commons today: That in the opinion of the House, anaphylaxis is a serious concern for an increasing number of Canadians and the government should take the appropriate measures necessary to ensure these Canadians are able to maintain a high quality of life. For more info go to http://nask.ca/events.html
Media Planet's supplement to the National Post on Asthma and Allergies
This publication features an asthmatic Kevin Martin who overcame his asthma to become an Olympic Champion, a mother and daughter duo who face food allergies on a daily basis and great articles and advice taken from Canada's leading allergists and doctors in the field.
Nonuttin' Foods to Appear on The Martha Stewart Show April 29
Alana Elliott, Founder and President of Duncan, BC's Nonuttin' Foods Inc. will be appearing on The Martha Stewart Show this Thursday, April 29.
The show will be taped before a live studio audience on Thursday, April 29th and aired the same day, which is perfect timing since May 1st begins Allergy and Celiac Awareness Month.
The Martha Stewart Show is no longer aired in Canada but can be seen on NBC affiliates in the United States.
Once the show has been filmed, a link to the official show site and segment will be shown on the Nonuttin' Foods website at www.nonuttin.com.
"It's been a fantastic year," says Elliott.
"From supplying granola bars to the Olympic Broadcasting Centres to appearing on The Martha Stewart Show!
It will be hard to top that."
Help the AAIA raise funds with your Experience at Ontario Place
Opening to the public in May of 1971, Ontario Place has grown to be Toronto's Downtown Theme Park and one of this City's greatest attractions for residents and visitors alike. Whether you live here or plan to visit this great city from May to October, don't miss this family adventure with such features as the Froster Soak City, Wild World of Weather, a Wild Ocean film at the Cinesphere and many more fun filled attractions.
To enjoy Ontario Place while benefiting AAIA, all you have to do is order your tickets on line by visiting www.ontarioplace.com, go to "Corporate On-Line Clients", by entering 52781 with the password "fun".
Come and Experience Ontario Place!
One Lot of Zaditen Tablets (for Asthma) Recalled Due to Potential Health Risks
Health Canada Advisory 2009-12-04
For more information about Zaditen recall go to www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2009/2009_194-eng.php
Sabrina's Story — A Preventable Tragedy
Letter from Sara Shannon
To read the original Chatelaine article: en.chatelaine.com/english/food/article.jsp?content=20091001_150000_0023
To contact the Editor-in-Chief of Chatelaine:
The AAIA welcomes Guardian Angel, our new corporate sponsor
Guardian Angel produces a wide variety of baked goods that are free of peanut, nut, dairy, and egg. These delicious products are now available in the freezer section of grocery stores in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick. [read more...]
International Conference on Food Allergies and Consumer Protection
Montreal, February 4 - 5, 2010.
AllerGen: Fifth Annual Research Conference
Quebec City, February 7 - 9, 2010. AllerGen's nationally networked research showcase. Keynote addresses by internationally renowned experts. [read more...]
Adverse Reaction Advisory - Montelukast (Singulair)
Go to www.healthcanada.gc.ca/carn to read an advisory about Singulair published in the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter, Volume 19, No. 3
Air Canada decision allows pets in cabin
The above link leads to a letter sent to Air Canada by the president of the Canadian Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Dr. Richard Warrington, in reaction to the recent decision to allow pets to travel in the cabin on Air Canada. If you are allergic to animals and would like to add your voice, we encourage you to write a personal letter to Air Canada's president, explaining how this impacts you or your family. [read more...]
Toronto Blue Jays Games - Peanut/Nut Reduced Zone
Thanks to a tremendous response to games in 2008, the Toronto Blue Jays are pleased to once again offer families dealing with life threatening allergies a dedicated, comfortable and safe seating zone from which to enjoy the game. [read more...]
Good news from Health Canada for food allergic Canadians
The Government of Canada Announces Proposed New Labelling Requirements to Protect Health of Canadians.
To see the press release go to www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiquet/allergen/index-eng.php.
Thank you to Health Canada and thank you to all who wrote to the government in support of these new regulations!
Would you like better food labelling?
Help us pass new legislation. Write to Health Canada Now! [read more...]
AAIA 2007 Family Conference in Ottawa
The AAIA Ontario conference held October 21 in Ottawa featured many exciting medical speakers and interactive workshops. [read more...]
Highlights from the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI) Annual Meeting October 26-29, 2006 Montreal
Dr. Eric Leith, Chair, Canadian Allergy Asthma and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF)
After attending the recent CSACI annual meeting it is now time to reflect upon the knowledge transfer and how I may incorporate this in my practice. These are some of the outlines of the featured sessions. [read more...]
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