It was the first day of the new year, 2012, when tragedy struck.  The day had not even ended before a 7 year old Richmond, Virginia girl died at her elementary school.  The cause, an allergic reaction.  The little girl was in cardiac arrest when the fire crews arrived to her school.  She died during transport to the hospital.  The investigation is now in the hands of the medical examiner's office.

Nothing sends chills through any parent's body than hearing news of a child's death.  However, to parents with children affected by food allergies, news like these hits too close to home.  Parents are left wondering,"could this be my child?".  It is an obvious tragedy but one that may have been prevented.  While there were not details as to whether or not the child had a known history of allergies, there was also no indication that epinephrine was administered to the child.  Epinephrine (EpiPen) is the only effective medication to revers the symptoms of anaphylaxis.  While one may work, it could take several shots to stabilize the individual experiencing anaphylaxis.

New legislation has been introduced on Capital Hill to help reduce the occurrence of anaphylaxis deaths in schools.  The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act requires that school stock non-student specific epinephrine auto injectors.  Not only will this law help the students without a known allergy receive the life saving medication, it will also hep staff members, as adult-onset food allergies is now becoming more common.

25% of epinephrine administration at school was the result of a reaction to individuals with NO KNOWN HISTORY of allergies.  With the rapid rise of food allergies in the United States, supporting the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act is extremely important.  1 in 13 children in America has a food allergy, that's nearly 2 in every classroom.  Approximately 40% of those children's food allergy is life threatening.  With no cure, and no known cause, this number has no where to go but up.  Our schools will need to prepare.

What can you do as a parent?

1. For those with a child who has food allergies attending school (especially those with an EpiPen prescribed to their child), create a comprehensive Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) and a 504 Plan for your allergic child.  The IHCP will insure your child's safety while the 504 plan in insure both the safety and inclusion of your child. For assistance with developing a comprehensive IHCP and 504 plan, please contact the LAN School Action Group at schoolinfo@loudounallergynetwork.org or call 571-989-3LAN (3526).
   
2. Do not assume that because your child never had a severe reaction in the past, only mild reactions, that your child cannot have a severe reaction in the future.  Studies have shown that those with mild reaction in the past are at a higher risk for a severe, anaphylactic reaction.  The danger is also not knowing when this could happen.  It could happen at the next exposure, or several exposures later.
   
3. Whether your child has food or other anaphylactic allergies or not, support the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act.  Contact our senators and tell your story, your fears and your hopes for your child.  Request for them to support this very important law.  The stock EpiPens could save your child's life, or the life of your child's teacher, if a reaction occurred without a known allergy.
   

What can you do as a school?

C.A.R.E.
Comprehend the basic facts about food allergies.
Avoid the allergens.
Recognize the symptoms of a reaction.
Enact emergency protocol.   

1. It is important to reduce risk where possible.  Studies have shown that allergic reactions happen more often in the classroom than in any other area of the school, even the cafeteria and the playground.  Food may not be necessary for use as a manipulative or a reward and may be an area where the risk can greatly be reduced.  The Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), food allergy management guidelines, "Caring for Students with Food Allergies In School" has 5 pages worth of non-food rewards and celebration ideas for your use.
   
2. Support the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act.  Contact our senators and tell your story, your fears and your hopes for your students.  Request for them to support this very important law.

Want to learn more about how to keep your students safe?  Register at AllergyReady.com to take an online training course in the comfort of your home, at your leisure.  Allergy Ready is a free, online course to help teachers, administrators and school personnel prevent and manage potentially life threatening allergic reactions.

How to Contact Our Senators

To contact Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb, click the link below:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=VA

Here's a sample letter via FAAN: http://www.foodallergy.org/files/faan-epi_bill-model_letter-senate_v2.doc

It is more effective to not only send a letter but also take a moment to call.  You may not reach the Senators themselves but their administrative assistants will take detailed messages.  It is recommended to keep it short and to the point.  State you are a constituent.  Request their support and to co-sponsor S-1884, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act.  State that 25% of epinephrine administration were to individuals with no known history of allergies.  Request a call back so you can further go into details.  

Recently documented deaths due to allergic reactiSchons:

• Jahrell Dillard, 15 years old, died on August 2011
• Tyler Cody Davis, a college student, died on August 2011
• Katelyn Carlson, 13 years old, died on December 2010
• Megann Ayotte 6 years old, died on September 2010

While this is a short list and not all fatal reactions listed above occurred in school, it is a reminder to all of us that we need to work together to keep our children safe, whether at school or outside of school.  Another death of a child due to an allergic reaction, is too heartbreaking to bare.  We keep all the families, who's lives have been changed due to a fatal reaction, in our prayers.

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Sources:
NBC 12 http://www.nbc12.com/story/16436367/chesterfield-student-dies-from-allergic-reaction
FAAN http://www.foodallergy.org/page/school-access-to-emergency-epinephrine-act1
ABC WRIC.com http://www.wric.com/story/16435885/chesterfield-student-child-dies-after-suffering-allergic-reaction-in-school#.TwNRB279xOM.facebook
Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2008/july-04a.html