Get involved – February 2021

Sign up for this week’s webinar on COVID-19 vaccines and food allergy. Get educated with our “encore presentation series” with this month’s focus on keeping an allergy-friendly kitchen. Attend an upcoming small group webinar on managing food allergy and anaphylaxis. Plus, learn about our support groups and connect with one virtually.

February 4^th at 2pm EST – COVID-19 vaccines and food allergy: Get the facts webinar

Updated: Watch the webinar recording here.

Have questions and concerns around the COVID-19 vaccines and the impacts to those with food allergy?

Join us on Thursday, February 4th, 2021 to hear from a panel of experts and get credible and informative answers to your questions, while learning more about the vaccine options.

Register now, and please share the session with others so they can also benefit. Upon registration, you can submit your questions in advance of the webinar.

Here are the details:

What the webinar is about: Get the facts on the COVID-19 vaccines and the impacts to those with food allergy. A panel of experts will answer your questions on:

• How vaccines work
• What the process is for ensuring the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines
• What the likelihood is of having an adverse reaction to the vaccines and what the severity of the reactions may be
• What allergists recommend on the suitability of the vaccines for those with food allergy, and more!

Who is presenting: The webinar will feature the following experts:

• Jennifer Gerdts: Jennifer is the Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada, and a mother of twin boys with multiple food allergies. For Jennifer’s more detailed bio, click here. She will be moderating this session.
• Dr. Megan Bettle: Dr. Bettle has conducted research in molecular biology and the genetics of rare diseases. She joined Health Canada in 2005 as a drug safety reviewer. Since then, she has taken on a number of roles in drug review and safety, cannabis policy, and tobacco and illicit drugs surveillance. Recent positions in the Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada have focused on developing strategies to improve access to medicines. She is currently the Director General of the COVID-19 Regulatory Response Team for the Health Products and Food Branch.
• Dr. Zain Chagla: Dr. Chagla specializes in infectious diseases, internal medicine, and tropical medicine. He is a Consultant Physician at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario, Associate Professor of Medicine at McMaster University, and adjunct faculty at the University of Namibia in the Department of Medicine.
• Dr. Elissa Abrams: Dr. Abrams is a Canadian allergist, Chair of the Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Section of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and President of the Allergy Section of the Canadian Paediatric Society. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Manitoba and is a member of the Healthcare Advisory Board for Food Allergy Canada.

When is the webinar: Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 2pm-3pm EST

Keeping an allergy-friendly kitchen encore presentation series

In this series, we feature past online events and webinars. This month watch our allergy-friendly kitchen series. With the pandemic, we are spending more time in our kitchens than ever, so check out our allergy-friendly recipes ideas and find out strategies to reduce cross-contamination. Watch the videos below and please share with others who may benefit.

We would love to see your recipe recreations! Tag us in your photos on social media using #AllergyFriendlyKitchen. For more tips and strategies on keeping your kitchen allergy-friendly, visit the web pages below.

Kitchen tips and recipes

Avoiding cross-contamination

Small group webinar: Managing food allergy and anaphylaxis

Do you care for a child with food allergy? Attend one of our free 90-minute interactive webinars led by a trained parent mentor. You’ll learn fundamental information about daily management and living confidently with food allergy and anaphylaxis.

These sessions are geared towards parents of children who have been recently diagnosed with a food allergy. It’s also a great session for others who are interested in this topic, or would like a refresher.

Following the session, you’ll be able to answer:

• What are food allergy and anaphylaxis
• How to avoid a reaction
• What are the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis
• What to do in an emergency

We have extended the number of participants that can attend these sessions during this time. Sessions fill up quickly, so register now to save your spot. Our next sessions are Saturday, February 6^th and Wednesday, February 10^th.

If you have already attended one of these webinars, please help us spread the word so others can also benefit. Please share!

Learn about our support groups across Canada and connect with one virtually!

Support groups provide a warm and caring environment for you to get help in dealing with the day-to-day stress of being at risk of anaphylaxis or having a child who is at risk. Plus, it’s a great way to keep updated on any new developments in the food allergy community.

The leaders of the Metro Vancouver Anaphylaxis Group outline five reasons you should join a support group, including:

1. At first diagnosis
2. Being in the loop
3. Knowing you’re not alone
4. Access to special events
5. Opportunities for advocacy

Find a support group near you and connect today!

Most of our support groups have online presence through social media and are connecting virtually during this time. If there isn’t one in your community, we’ll help you get one started.