Anaphylaxis Awareness Week 2020
UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / April 20, 2020 / The Anaphylaxis Campaign has announced that our annual Anaphylaxis Awareness Week will go ahead as planned, despite the current situation with the Covid-19 Pandemic.
As the NHS is currently under huge pressure, we at the Anaphylaxis Campaign, a UK charity which provides support and information to individuals and families affected by severe allergies, have decided to continue with plans for our awareness-raising week as people with severe allergies need support now more than ever.
Our team is committed to keeping the allergic community up to date with vital changes in guidance and information through this difficult time.
How we are helping
- We have issued a joint open letter with BSACI and AllergyUK to supermarkets, industry and George Eustice MP, and we are in discussion with DEFRA and the FSA about improvements needed to ensure the availability of both free-from foods and general product lines for those with medically restricted diets.
- As some food hygiene inspections are halted and many food businesses switch to distance selling for the first time, we have designed a consumer checklist of considerations to make when ordering takeaway food during the pandemic. We have also provided links to information, resources and training to local authorities in order to support the hospitality industry.
- We have created an online hub of allergy and coronavirus information, including FAQs we have received through our national helpline service.
- We are developing an allergy buddy system for people who feel isolated and need more support during this time. We are also developing ‘virtual support groups’ to replace our community support groups where possible.
How you can help us
Go Orange for Anaphylaxis Awareness Week! Whilst we are supporting people across the UK, we hope they will join with us between 4 - 10 May to raise much needed awareness and take part in some fun fundraising activities, including:
1. Design an Orange wig
Support our trademark ‘Orange Wig Week’ by designing and creating your own! The bigger and more flamboyant the better!
Email them to us, or post them to our social media channels between 4 - 10 May with the hashtag #AnaphlaxisAwareness to show your support and raise awareness.
2. Take on a Marathon Challenge in May
Mental and physical wellbeing is so important at this time and whilst the major marathon events have been postponed, we are asking those who are able to undertake daily exercise whilst social distancing, and to record the distance covered as a family during the month of May, aiming to achieve the 26 mile 'Marathon target'. Running walking, skipping or scootering - whichever way works for you.
Ask friends and family to donate via a Just Giving Page https://www.justgiving.com/start-fundraising or another online method. We will send you a certificate and badge to thank you for your amazing efforts!
3. Share your story
We are asking people all over the UK to send a positive message in these challenging times. We will be welcoming our new Youth Ambassador, who will be named on the 27 April and will be kicking off this event on Monday 4 May.
We are asking people with allergies to video a short clip of themselves finishing the statement ‘Living with allergies has helped me to…’ with the hashtag #AnaphylaxisAwareness
We hope that by people sharing their stories in this way it will empower others.
Find out more about the Anaphylaxis Campaign at https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/ and to donate go to https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/get-involved/donate/
You can also follow us on social and tag us into your awareness activities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Us
Anaphylaxis Campaign was formed in 1994 by Honorary Vice-President David Reading after his 17-year-old daughter Sarah sadly passed away following an allergic reaction to peanuts. We are the only UK wide charity operating solely for the growing numbers of people at risk from severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and often sudden allergic reaction. It can occur when someone with allergies is exposed to something they are allergic to. Reactions usually take place within minutes and rapidly progress but can occur up to 2-3 hours later. It is potentially life-threatening and always requires an immediate emergency response.
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