Advocacy

For people with life-threatening allergies, having epinephrine available during a medical emergency can mean the difference between life and death. At 35,000 feet, where reaching an emergency room may take hours, that access becomes even more critical. A Proposed Change to Airline Emergency Medical Kits A new proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could change what U.S. airlines are required to carry in their onboard emergency medical kits—and leave passengers less protected. Currently, regulations detail specific medications and equipment that must be stocked on airplanes…

Fourteen-year-old Jane Weber shared that she has needed to use epinephrine 11 times to save her life. Devin Sailer, 18, reminded everyone of the additional impact severe allergies can have on rural populations who lack some of the financial resources of their urban counterparts and often struggle with access to food, medicine, and transportation. These were but two of many meaningful moments as Allergy Advocates New York joined legislators, families, and community advocates in Albany at our annual Food Allergy Awareness Day on May 18th. The event highlighted the urgent need for policies pro…

Our annual Food Allergy Awareness Day in Albany is about more than legislation. It's about bringing together the people most affected by life-threatening allergies and giving them an opportunity to share their stories directly with lawmakers. For many attendees, the day was also an opportunity to connect with others who understand those experiences firsthand. We asked advocates to reflect on what the day meant to them, what stood out most, and why they believe advocacy matters. Here are their thoughts.      What a beautiful day to make change!  Such an honor advocating…

Food allergy families spend countless hours reading labels, researching ingredients, and making sure epinephrine is always within reach. They don't often find themselves at movie premieres. But for one evening in May, a group of advocates traded everyday routines for a night at the theater to celebrate the premiere of May Contain: My Life, a film by Jen Greenstreet that explores the challenges, resilience, and advocacy that define life with food allergies. Produced by Just Like You Films, May Contain: My Life explores life with food allergies through a blend of documentary interviews and a…

We read ingredient labels, call ahead to restaurants, and never leave home without epinephrine. But staying safer with severe food allergies doesn’t just happen in kitchens, schools, and restaurants — it also happens in legislative offices. That’s where advocacy comes in. By contacting government representatives and sharing their experiences, individuals can help local, state, and federal officials better understand the real-life challenges of living with food allergies. Personal stories also show lawmakers that these issues matter deeply to their constituents — and deserve legislative atte…

Eighteen-year-old Devin Sailer knows what it’s like to feel different and alone. So does his mother, Frances Falotico. With Devin’s 31 anaphylactic allergies, it would be hard not to. Now, after nearly two decades of navigating life-threatening allergies, they’re using what they’ve learned to help others facing the same reality they once did. Together, they work to raise awareness about severe allergies and the importance of having epinephrine readily available. Devin also founded and runs the nonprofit Safe to Eat, which helps improve access to allergen-safe foods at upstate domestic v…