Peanut Allergy News: Chicago White Sox Offers Peanut-Allergic Fans Special Seating

Big news for baseball fans! For the first time, the Chicago White Sox are hosting a peanut-allergy friendly game. I just received the following notice from our local food allergy support group leader. There will be special seating provided; the entire park will not be "peanut-free" that day. Here is the complete info, provided by the White Sox:

Peanut allergy friendly White Sox game
WHITE SOX VS. ORIOLES
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - 7:10 P.M. U.S. Cellular Field

EVENT FAQ
1. WILL U.S. CELLULAR FIELD BE "PEANUT FREE" ON APRIL 17TH?
A. No. Not all of US Cellular Field will be peanut free on this date. We are offering three sections that will limit exposure to peanut fragments. Peanuts will be sold to the general public during this game.
(Attendees must complete and sign a waiver along with an order form before attending this event.)

2. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS $36.50 TICKET?
A. This ticket includes your ticket to the game and $10 in Bonus Bux (stored value on the ticket used to purchase food and beverage). Ticket price does not include parking. Parking can be purchased in advance for $25.

3. WHERE WILL THE SEATS BE LOCATED?
A. The seats will be located in the Club Level, sections 354-357

4. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TO THE SEATS?
A. For the least peanut-exposed path to your ticket area we suggest you enter U.S. Cellular Field through Chicago Sports Depot (new team store located on the North side of 35th St). Proceed to second level of team store. Exit Chicago Sports Depot through the second level exit and proceed to the escalators straight ahead. Take Escalators to the Club Level. At the top of the escalators take a left to cross the bridge over 35th St. Once inside the Club Level concourse proceed to your left to the designated seating area.

5. ARE THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX GUARANTEEING THAT MY CHILDREN WILL NOT HAVE ALLERGIC REACTIONS DURING OUR VISIT?
A. No. We are taking all the necessary and appropriate steps to ensure that we create the safest environment possible, but we are not guaranteeing that allergic reactions will not occur. Attendees must complete and sign a waiver before
attending this event. First Aid as well as Guest Relations attendants will be on site to assist in emergency situations.

6. AT WHICH AGE DO CHILDREN REQUIRE A GAME TICKET?
A. All children that cannot fit underneath the turnstiles (approximately 36") will need a ticket for this game.

7. HOW DO I ORDER TICKETS?
A. Tickets can be ordered by mailing or faxing in a ticket order form. To request an order form, please email dmilliken@chisox.com. Tickets will be mailed to the address on the form once the order has been processed. You will need to send a signed waiver along with your order form.

Food Allergy PSA from Dr. Oz

As many of you might now, Dr. Oz has featured food allergies on his popular TV show, including a demonstration of how detect the signs of anaphylaxis. This show was a wonderful public service. I especially appreciated it since I did not know what the signs of severe food allergy reactions were the first time my daughter experienced one.

Did you know that he also filmed a public service announcement for FAAN?

When public figures like Dr. Oz take the time to speak out about food allergies, it can have a very positive impact on the general public's awareness and acceptance of food allergies, besides giving them crucial health information.

Have any of you seen this PSA on TV before? I like the way he talks about the unexpected nature of food allergies and how they can happen anywhere at school. People think they can only happen in the cafeteria or lunch room, but they can happen anywhere. Awareness is the first step in making schools or any public venue much safer for allergic kids and adults.

Thanks, Dr. Oz, for your support of food allergies!

Food Allergy Awareness Week Illinois Activities plus a Sweet Alexis Discount!

Welcome to Food Allergy Awareness Week! I'm happy to say that many governors issued state proclamations about FAEW, so thanks to everyone who contacted your state officials.

The Illinois Food Allergy Education Association sent me info about two Food Allergy Awareness Week Events taking place in the Chicago area.

Wednesday, May 12th, 4:30-6:30, at New York Slices, 1843 Second Street, Highland Park, Kelly Rudnicki will sign copies of her book, The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book (nuts, dairy and egg free recipes).

Kelly is a local food allergy mom who I met last year at the FAAN conference. She's a great food allergy advocate and her baking book is fantastic! If you don't have it yet, you'll want to get a copy. I love the recipes in this book! Plus, every recipe has a full-color photo. A beautiful book for you, friends, family--anyone you know interested in nut-free, dairy-free and egg-free baking, or just baking, period. Visit her web site at Food Allergy Mama.

Saturday, May 15th, 11-2p.m. at Free From Market, 14482 South LaGrange Road, Orland Park, Lisa Williams will have cooked tasty food for allergenistas. Directions at: http://www.freefrommarket.com/location.php Lisa Williams

Lisa Williams is a Chicago-area "allergenista" who hosts allergy-free restaurant events and has a great website: Lisa Cooks Allergen Free.

Plus, for all of you looking for nut-free, egg-free and dairy-free baked goodies for your family or school, Sweet Alexis Bakery is offering a 15% discount to help celebrate Food Allergy Awareness Week. This is your chance to stock up! Don't forget that Sweet Alexis treats are great to store in your freezer for safe treat emergencies (don't forget the grandparents, friends and relatives)! Enter coupon code: allergy10 at http://www.sweetalexis.com.

Now I have a question: what is your best experience teaching a non-allergic person about food allergies? Did they accommodate you in a special way? Did they go out of their way to help your child in some way? We hear so many negatives stories, so let's share some positive ones for Food Allergy Awareness Week. E-mail me your stories at nut-freemom@sbcglobal.net.