Allergy Alive dedicates themselves to saving lives
JOBURG - Allergy Alive is a non-profit organisation committed to assisting South Africans to match international best practice and standards in managing severe allergies.
The organisation is offering training sessions in a bid to prevent allergic disorders or help anyone who has had an allergy-related reaction.
Hayley Katz, a director of Allergy Alive said, “There are just too many stories about unnecessary deaths from allergy-related reactions.
“Severe allergic disorders are becoming a worldwide epidemic, and South African communities are not immune. These disorders include asthma and anaphylaxis.”
According to Katz, visits to emergency rooms and hospitals due to anaphylaxis (an acute allergic reaction to an antigen such as a bee sting) are doubling every 10 years, and it is estimated that at least 250 million people are diagnosed worldwide.
“It must be noted that the danger lies not only for those diagnosed with a severe allergic disorder but, more especially, for those undiagnosed. This severe allergic reaction to food and environmental allergens, even exercise, can occur anytime, to anyone, at any age,” added Katz.
She said prevention, preparedness and treatment strategies were key to preventing unnecessary deaths, improving the quality of lives and safeguarding the rights of those with severe allergic disorders.
“Without these, those diagnosed with this disorder are both disabled and handicapped. Their families’ lives are limited, as is recreational play.”
Allergy Alive will host training sessions on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The sessions will be led by a director of Allergy Alive – a psychotherapist and specialist in this advocacy field – and advanced life paramedics.
Reduced rates for the training will be offered to large school groups, and all funds raised will be used to advance the current projects undertaken by Allergy Alive, which include community outreach into low socio-economic groups and school communities.
Details: allergyalive@gmail.com
