This summer, the group deployed in all corners of the country to get its message out to Members of Congress.

o In San Diego, CA, a group of 13 led by Sue Wagner and Carol D'Agnese met with Senator Barbara Boxer's (CA) staff. A local allergist described the rapid increase in food allergies, provided some medical explanation and detailed current research efforts. Several children read letters they had written, including two who are fed intravenously. The group brought along letters from school nurses, the California Teacher of the Year and a physician who has a child with a food allergy. They also shared "before and after" photos of young children experiencing allergic reactions. The Senator's staff learned that food allergy research does not even appear on the list of all National Institutes of Health disease research funding. Sue and Carol presented the Senator with a plaque thanking her for her attention to food allergies, and her office was very appreciative of the opportunity to learn so much more about the breadth and severity of this disease.

o In Charlotte, NC, a group of 16 led by Chris Hardy met with Senator Kay Hagan's (NC) top health policy staff. This group included a dozen allergy parents, a Duke University food allergy researcher, a family that participated in Duke research, a Charlotte-area allergist, a 12-year old and a 17-year old who can eat fewer than 20 foods, and an allergic mother of allergic kids. There was even a pregnant mom talking about the challenges of obtaining milk formula suitable for food allergic infants. The Senator's staff knew very little about food allergies at the outset, but was engaged, full of great questions, and appreciative of our group's efforts.

o In Scarsdale, NY, a group of five led by Sari Canell met with Representative Nita Lowey (NY). Rep. Lowey has been a champion on combating food allergies, sponsoring the federal labeling law and now the federal school guidelines bill (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Management Act). One of the attendees was a local allergist, to whom the Congresswoman asked a number of important questions. She was also greatly moved by the story of Sabrina Shannon, an 8th grader from Canada who died of an anaphylactic reaction in 2003 - illustrating to her that in spite of our best efforts, the perpetual risk of anaphylaxis underscores that only a cure will ultimately keep kids safe.

o In Mercer Island, WA, Sally Porter and her two boys met with Representative Dave Reichert (WA). Rep. Reichert is the co-chair of the Congressional Children's Health Caucus and held a hearing last year to raise awareness on food allergies. The Congressman has family members with food allergies, so he understands the daily challenges of coping with the disease. Sally described her extensive work to educate food allergy patients at emergency room departments in local hospitals, and she provided the Congressman with the booklet she developed for this work. He offered some great ideas about how to further raise awareness of food allergies and the need to find a cure.

o In Madison and Green Bay, WI, Meg Goss met with both Senator Herb Kohl's staff and Representative Steve Kagen (WI), who is the only allergist in Congress. Having heard Meg describe the work of her 300-member support group, Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin, both officials better understand the prevalence of food allergies among their own constituents.

All of these successful efforts were major, time-consuming undertakings by the respective steering committee members, and we thank and commend them for helping to elevate the issue of food allergies and the need for research to find a cure. Everyone who has participated thus far believes the meetings were very productive and worthwhile, and they felt very good about becoming uniquely involved in the democratic process. They have laid an important foundation from which to keep these Members apprised of important food allergy research and other developments.

If you are interested in participating in a meeting with your Senator or Representative, please contact me or Steve Rice, Director of Public Affairs at the Food Allergy Initiative (srice@faiusa.org).