anaphylaxis

This being allergy awareness month, By George features an electronic motion now in Canada’s Parliament on the serious condition of anaphylaxis and safer airline allergy policies.   e-106 (Anaphylaxis) is sponsored by Dr. Hedy Fry, M.P. for Vancouver Centre and it is on-line on the Parliamentary website:   https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-106     This Petition to the…

It was a year ago today that MPs in our federal Parliament passed a motion to raise greater awareness for anaphylaxis, a potentially, deadly medical condition for those with severe allergies. Below are my reflections of my family’s experience being on Parliament Hill to see this important vote.     I wish to wrap up…

I wish to wrap up the events of last week with a few personal observations. It was very gratifying last Wednesday night to see the anaphylaxis awareness motion receive MPs’ unanimous consent in the House of Commons. Our group of families, who have been volunteering our efforts over the past five years, connected with many…

MPs’ votes in the House of Commons last night included the passing of Motion 230, a motion to raise awareness of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical condition brought on by severe allergies. This is welcomed news for family members of the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI), a volunteer network of concerned families who have been working with…

The families of the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI – cia-allergies.ca) thank MP Dean Allison (photo taken at Mr. Allison’s Beamsville office).   Anaphylaxis was debated again in Parliament yesterday.  MP Dean Allison, who is sponsoring a motion to raise awareness of anaphylaxis, spoke about the motives behind his Motion-230.        On the first day of…

Members of Parliament unanimously agreed with the motion to raise awareness of anaphylaxis when they debated MP Dean Allison’s M-230 on Friday (read full debate here.)   Families of the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI) are very excited by the fact that there was all Party agreement and look forward to the next time M-230 is…

This Friday, Members of Parliament will be speaking in the House of Commons on a motion dealing with anaphylaxis, a medical condition related to severe allergies.  Readers of By George will know that we have been part of a Canadian group that has been raising awareness in Ottawa to this growing concern. The Canadian Anaphylaxis…

Last week By George Journal marked the first anniversary of a special House of Commons debate on anaphylaxis with a series of posts about severe allergies and what Ottawa is and can do to help reduce the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions. Here is an index of those articles. Anaphylaxis Issue:  Allergen Food Labelling        Federal…

Earlier this year, a 7-year old child attending a Virginia school died after suffering an anaphylactic reaction to a peanut product. Teachers and school staff failed to respond to save Amaria’s life (see TV report).    Elizabeth Goldenberg, one of Canada’s leading allergy safety experts, wrote in her blog One Spot Allergy some of the…

Last month, anaphylaxis advocate Cindy Paskey visited with MP Dean Allison in Ottawa to discuss the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative group’s activities through the Spring Session of Parliament.  Here is the meat of the press release issued as a result of the discussions.      CAI is working with a core group of MPs to raise greater…

Anaphylaxis is a medical condition describing people with severe, life threatening allergies.  Reactions are rapid in onset and may cause death without immediate treatment. Signs of an anaphylactic reaction include difficulty with breathing; swollen lips, eyes, tongue and/or throat; itchy rash, blotches and welts; stomach pains and vomiting; and light-headedness and fainting due to a drop in…

All families supporting a loved one who copes with anaphylaxis have the same dream – that one day there will be a cure for (or greater relief for) severe allergies.  This will only happen through medical research. It is this common family dream that prompted the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative to call on the federal government to provide…

St. Valentine’s Day 2011 was particularly sweet for families dealing with severe food allergies. On that day, the Federal Government announced new food labelling regulations related to allergens.  With food labelling as one of the organization’s 5-policy points, the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative was asked to be present at the announcement.  Here is a short summary of the issue and relevant links…

Since its establishment in Fall 2010, the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative has found Members of Parliament supportive. CAI spokespersons have urged MPs to become more aware and to share their experiences with severe allergies. With the support of MPs and government officials, we can raise greater public understanding, promote responsible safety measures, educate people on the signs of…

Anaphylaxis is serious, potential deadly – yet, it often seems that people wish to ignore facts. In Canada, those with this medical condition are increasing in numbers; as are the health care costs of treating anaphylactic attacks. FACT:  Anaphylaxis is an issue that is not going to go away. Would it not seem reasonable, therefore, that…

March 21st marked the one-year anniversary of a special House of Commons debate on the health condition “anaphylaxis” – life-threatening allergies – that occurred in Ottawa. For those who have followed our advocacy work on anaphylaxis, you will know a group of volunteer families has been working for years with MPs to help raise awareness…

Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI) is a family affair that has at its core concerned mothers – Debbie Bruce, Gladys Vergis-Mayo, Cindy Paskey and Mindi Ferkul. These four mothers work tiredlessly at the many CAI volunteer activities. The George Family is so pleased to be a part of the CAI and its efforts on behalf of our children and loved…