Patient Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Anaphylaxis Campaign

Fundraising Ideas A to Z

If you’re not sure where to start with your fundraising, then we’re here to help. Whether you have a fully-fledged master plan, or a rough sketch on a napkin, please let us know your ideas so that we can best support you. Fill out our online form here or contact [email protected].

Need some inspiration?

Auction: try to get people to donate a promise of their time, use of their belongings, or to donate a gift. All of us have something to offer.
Biggest party: invite your friends, family or colleagues to a party – big or small – charge them for the privilege of your hospitality and donate the proceeds to us.
Charity of the Year: ask your company to make the Anaphylaxis Campaign their Charity of the Year or your finance department to organise Payroll Giving.
Dress down day: get your work or school involved in a dress down day, where people pay £2 to come to school or work in their clothes of choice or maybe even fancy dress.
Empty your pockets: each day empty the change from your pockets and put it in a jar… you can ask your friends or colleagues to join in and then donate all the change to us.
Fashion show. Hold a fashion show at your school or workplace; ask a local retailer to bring in the clothing and charge for admission or ask them to donate a portion of the retail sales.
Go without: if there’s something you really love, whether it is chocolate or biting your nails, get people to sponsor you to give it up.
Halloween ball: sell tickets to a fancy dress party.
Ice-cream: hot weather? Buy huge tubs of free-from ice cream and sell them by the scoop.
Just Giving: if you want to do a sponsored event, create a page on www.justgiving.com, where your friends and family can sponsor you.
Karaoke evening: ask a local pub to host one for you and charge people to get in or take part.
Litter picking: people will be very willing to sponsor you if you’re cleaning up a local park, beach or kids’ playground. This is a way to help your local community while raising money, so everyone’s a winner.
Marathon: run for us in one of many races across the UK, including the London Marathon, Great North Run or one of the organised 10k or 5k races.
‘Nearly new’ sale: a posher version of a jumble sale. Be selective – only sell nice stuff that’s in good nick – and you can charge a fiver for items that would cost 50p in a jumble sale.
Outward bound weekends: the perfect way to promote team work within your company while raising money for charity.
Pancake Race: it doesn’t have to be Shrove Tuesday to make pancakes, and pancake racing is great fun whatever the time of year. Charge people a small fee to enter the races, get experimental with some free-from batter and get an adult to supervise in the kitchen.
Quiz Night: ideal for pubs, companies, schools or friends. A friendly challenge, with prizes for the winning team and most inventive answer.
Record breaker: attempting to break a world record sounds difficult but it can also be loads of fun, and is sure to get people interested. Find a world record that you think you could beat or, better still, make up your own event! Then, charge people a small fee to watch the attempt.
Sponsored event. runs, challenges, swims or even a head shave – ask your colleagues and friends to raise sponsorship money for you in a fun way.
Themed parties: from 70s disco to super heroes, everyone loves getting into fancy dress for a night of fun and games. Charge a nominal fee for entry and make sure there’s entertainment for all the guests.
University Challenge: get together with your old uni friends – perhaps through Facebook – and have a challenge together.
Video evening: simple, but the best ideas often are. Email, text or – if you’re old fashioned – telephone your friends with a choice of two or three movies to watch. Whatever the most popular choice is, rent it out and charge everyone to come to your home cinema.
Wig Day: take part in our favourite day of the year, Orange Wig Day! Wear an orange wig everywhere you go for one day – it will raise awareness and your mates will reward your boldness with a few quid.
Xmas: buy your Christmas cards from us.
YoYo competition: go retro and hold a competition to see who can do the coolest stunts and tricks. Charge people a small fee for taking part, or get sponsored to see how many loops you can do before getting in a tangle.
Zzzzzz… host a pyjama party or wear pyjamas to work for a day.

Fundraising

Every penny you raise will make a difference to people with severe allergies.

Money raised allows us to campaign for change in key areas to bring about positive change for people with allergies as well as producing research materials and resources to increase awareness and education.

What sort of things can I do to fundraise?

Whatever you like! You choose an event or challenge which suits you.

We have charity spaces within events such as Marathon’s, 10k’s, Tough Mudders and Glow in the Parks as well as Mountain Treks and Fun Runs!

But if you would like to hold more of a community event or design your own event, we are here to help you. Just contact [email protected] or call 01252 893850.

Click here for some great fundraising ideas for individuals, schools and workplaces.

Volunteer as a Lay Reviewer

We rely on the wealth of experience from our supporters to help us review our Factsheets and Knowledgebase articles.

What is the role of a Lay Reviewer?

We regularly produce and update our Factsheets and Knowledgebase articles to provide the most up to date information available. One of the most vital elements of this review process is the involvement of those who are affected by the allergen. In reading drafts of revised Factsheets for us they are helping us to make sure the information is readable, clear and comprehensive.

If you or anyone you know living with severe allergies or anaphylaxis and would be interested in reviewing our materials, please fill out this form and email it to [email protected]. Once registered, we will then be in contact with relevant articles as and when they require review.

Volunteer at our Head Office

Why volunteer with us?

If you’re starting a career, returning to work or looking to build your confidence and skills, volunteering in our office may be the thing for you. While volunteering at our head office in Farnborough, you would have the chance to gain experience working in the charity sector and would have the opportunity to develop new skills to help enhance your CV.

What would you be doing?

As part of a small team, you would be required to undertake a wide and varied range of tasks, from administrative duties and answering calls, to preparing information packs. As an office volunteer you would be a much valued member of the team and would be helping us in our ultimate aim of creating a safe environment for all people with allergies.

If you live in the area and have a few hours a week to give we would love to hear from you. All you need to do is email your CV to [email protected].

Important documents:

Support Group Leader

Do you want to help those living with severe allergies and anaphylaxis? If so, why not set up a Support Group in your local area?

What is a Support Group?

Support Groups provide a chance to meet others in the area living with severe allergies and anaphylaxis, share experiences, swap tips and talk about whats on your mind in a relaxed supportive setting. All our groups are free to attend and are run by our amazing volunteers.

Why become a Support Group Leader?

We are always looking for willing and dedicated volunteers to join our increasing number of Support Groups Leaders throughout the UK. By setting up a group in your local area you will be providing support to individuals and families in your local area living with the day to day challenges of severe allergies and anaphylaxis.

What do you need to know?

You will be required to source a venue, promote and facilitate a group at regular intervals throughout the year, with the help, advice and support of the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Support Group Leaders are not expected to give any medical advice to those in the group but are there to provide support and advice based on previous experiences. Our Outreach Coordinator is on hand to help you in all your support group activities. From producing posters, to promoting the group on our social media platforms we will be there every step of the way to help make your group a great success. We are able to cover reasonable venue costs and any approved out of pocket expenses.

Sounds good? Get in touch today!

If you would like to start a group in your area please get in touch and request our Support Group Leader pack and role description!

Community Volunteer

As a Community Volunteer, you will support us by distributing information locally within your community to raise awareness about the work of the Anaphylaxis Campaign.

This could include:

Leaflet dropping to local shops, surgeries, letterboxes and libraries.
Raising awareness with leaflets, posters or a stand at local events, at schools, libraries, sports centres and other appropriate public places.

We constantly strive to increase awareness of our Campaign across the UK. Community Volunteering is essential to achieving this aim. If you feel you could spare the time to be a Community Volunteer, or if you have any questions please contact us.

Volunteer

As a small charity with a national reach, we need as many people as possible to support us in raising awareness of severe allergies and providing support in our communities.

If you feel that you have the time and experience to volunteer with us, please get in touch today!

Please note, to register as a volunteer, you must be over 18.

However, if you are under 18, there are also other great ways to raise awareness and fundraise for the Anaphylaxis Campaign with your parent or guardian’s consent. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Click on the images below to find out more about our volunteering roles.

For more information about getting involved as a volunteer, email [email protected].

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out this form and email it back to us.

Data Protection and Privacy

Click here to read our Data Protection Policy.

Please read the Privacy Policy available on our website here to understand how we collect and use the information you give us. If you don’t wish us to use your information anymore, please contact our Volunteer Team via email [email protected], call 01252 893 862 or write to Anaphylaxis Campaign, 1 Alexandra Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6BU.

Safeguarding

When applying to become a volunteer, we will provide a copy of our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. This includes the principles that we always ask for consent from parents or guardians when using stories or pictures of children aged under 12 and routinely ask for consent from parents or guardians of children aged 12 to 18. We avoid using children’s full names in image captions and limit the amount of personal information we share about children aged under 18.

Click here to read our Safeguarding Policy.

Volunteering Policy

Click here to read our Volunteering Policy.

Anti-Fraud Policy

Click here to read our Anti-Fraud Policy.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Click here to read our Conflict of Interest Policy

Grievance Procedure

Click here to read our Volunteer Grievance Procedure.

Useful Links

Here are some other sources of relevant information which you might find useful.

If you would like to add your organisation to our list please read our links policy before sending your request to
our email.

Allergy UK

A national charity established to represent the views and needs of people with allergy and food intolerance.
Their website

Asthma UK

Charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.
Their website

Coeliac UK

Coeliac UK is the leading charity working for people with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). We work to improve the lives of people
living with the condition through support, campaigning and research.

Their website

St.John Ambulance

Volunteers from St.John Ambulance are well known for the thousands of hours they spend each year ensuring public events are safe, they are also the leading first aid training provider in the UK and the third largest youth organisation. For information on related training
click here for information on first aid for severe allergic reactions
click here.

National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG)

The National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG) is an alliance of the professional organisation BSACI (British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology), the patient charities, Allergy UK (AUK), The Anaphylaxis Campaign (TAC) and the Allergy Alliance (AA) and industry partners. Since its formation in 2001, the NASG has worked, with others, to highlight the need for allergy services; the inadequate care available for allergy patients at all levels in the NHS and to improve NHS allergy services.
Their website

Education for Health

Education for Health is the largest international education and research charity that trains health professionals to make a real difference to the lives of patients with long term conditions. Educational programmes are run nationally and internationally and are accredited by the Open University.
Their website

World Allergy Organization

An international umbrella organization whose members consist of 93 regional and national allergology and clinical immunology societies from around the world. By collaborating with member societies, WAO provides direct educational outreach programs, symposia and lectureships to members in nearly 100 countries around the globe.
Their website

MAARA

MAARA, the Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association, is a registered charity based in the East Midlands. In addition to funding research, MAARA are committed to raising the profile of asthma and allergy conditions.
Their website

The MedicAlert Foundation

The only registered charity that provides life-saving identification systems for children and adults with hidden medical conditions, allergies and advance wishes.
Their website

BSACI (British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology)

Professional society of allergists and clinical immunologists, whose aim is to improve care — through education, training and research.
Their website

Their ‘Choosing Wisely’ campaign is a global Initiative with the aim to promote conversations between clinicians and patients. Read more about it here.

The FPIES Foundation

The FPIES Foundation is a collaborative effort of several families affected by FPIES whose journey has sparked the desire to help other families find their way. FPIES (Food Protein-induced Enterocolitis Syndrome) is a rare but severe type of food allergy affecting the gastrointestinal tract. It is often under recognized and poorly understood. The organization’s founders identified a dire need for tangible support resources for both the affected families and the medical community. The FPIES Foundation is committed to providing a credible and interactive support resource for this rare, oftentimes isolating diagnosis.
Their website

British Dietetic Association

Their website

Care and Medication

The chief aim of this page is to help people with allergies – particularly those who are newly diagnosed – to get to grips with the most important issues surrounding allergy, so that they can stay out of harm and treat any allergic reaction should it occur.

Setting up a care plan

Research has provided strong evidence showing that the risks from allergy will be reduced if you follow a written care plan. A care plan will help you recognise when an allergic reaction has started and show you how to treat it. Your allergy clinic or GP may help you set this up, or the Anaphylaxis Campaign helpline can offer guidance (telephone 01252 542029 or email us).

The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) has also created a guide to writing a care plan to facilitate first aid treatment of anaphylaxis, to be delivered by people without any special medical training or equipment apart from access to an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI). For more information read about allergy action plans.

Care plans in settings such as schools should be reviewed every year.

The importance of adrenaline

Adrenaline is an important drug that is used in a number of emergency medical situations. It is the first line treatment for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and is available on prescription in a pre-loaded injection device (known as an adrenaline auto-injector or AAI).

Carrying your medication

If you have been prescribed treatments for your allergy — such as injectable adrenaline — the golden rule is clear: carry it everywhere at all times, with no exceptions. It’s important to make sure others are aware of what to do when a reaction occurs, such as relatives, close friends and colleagues.

About adrenaline injectors

There are three adrenaline auto injectors (AAIs) available on prescription in the U.K. The manufacturers of all three offer trainer devices so people can learn how to use them.

Emerade

Emerade® is the most recent single-use adrenaline auto-injector to become available. It has a needle guard to protect against needle stick injury. Visit www.emerade-bausch.co.uk.

Order an Emerade ‘trainer’ device

EpiPen

EpiPen® has a spring-loaded concealed needle. The built-in needle protection keeps the needle covered during and after use. Visit www.epipen.co.uk.

Order an EpiPen ‘trainer’ device

Jext

Jext® has a locking needle shield which engages after use, designed to protect against needle injury. Visit www.jext.co.uk or download the Jext app, available for iPhone and Android, for more information on your Jext device.

Order a Jext ‘trainer’ device

How many injectors should I carry?

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised that anyone who is at risk of suffering anaphylaxis should always have two adrenaline injector devices immediately available for use. Their report said: “It is acknowledged that in some cases, a single injection is not sufficient to achieve a response for a number of reasons, including severity of attack as well as the possibility that a dose has not been effectively administered; a second injection may therefore be needed”. The Anaphylaxis Campaign supports this view.

In cases where the risk of anaphylaxis is thought to be low, there is a difference of opinion among members of the medical community. While some doctors agree that two injectors must always be immediately available, in line with the MHRA report, others believe it is sufficient to have one device available, arguing that one injection is likely to be enough to treat the symptoms until emergency medical help arrives.

This is a matter that you should discuss thoroughly with your allergist.

Asthma control

If you have asthma as well as allergies, your asthma should be well controlled. Poorly-controlled asthma will raise the chances of any allergic reaction being severe. If your asthma needs more treatment than usual, you should take extreme care to avoid those foods or substances that might cause a reaction. You will also need to discuss your asthma with your GP.

Key messages

If you or your child carries adrenaline, there are key messages you must remember:

Have your adrenaline with you at all times, no exceptions.
Check the expiry date regularly. An out-of-date injector may offer some protection, but this will be limited. Sign up to the expiry alert service via the manufacturers website to give you ample warning when a new prescription is required.
Get a health professional to show you how to use your injector. If you haven’t already been shown how, go back to the doctor who prescribed it and ask for a demonstration. Ask the practice nurse at your local GP surgery or the school nurse. Our AllergyWise online training courses can also help or alternatively, visit the manufacturers website to watch demonstration videos.
Get hold of a “trainer” pen and practice regularly. See the links above relating to individual adrenaline injectors.
If you suspect a reaction is serious or becoming serious, use your injector immediately. Dial 999 or get someone else to do it. Whoever telephones must tell the operator the patient is suffering from anaphylaxis and must ask for a paramedic ambulance. You will need to get to hospital because the symptoms can return and you may need further treatment.
Remember that children who have been prescribed Jext or Emerade adrenaline injectors need to go on to the higher dose when they weigh 30kg or 4 stone 9 lbs. This is likely to be somewhere between 5-11 years old. Infants and children who have been prescribed EpiPen will be prescribed the Junior version if they weigh between 7.5kg and 25kg. The higher dose EpiPen is suitable for adults and children weighing over 25kg.

For more information and advice please call our helpline on 01252 542029 or email our helpline team.

Wear a MedicAlert ID

If you experience a reaction, you may not be able to speak for yourself. Wearing a MedicAlert ID bracelet or necklace means you can point to it, highlighting your allergy and that you’re carrying an adrenaline auto-injector. If you are in any other emergency, such as an accident, it will also allow the hospital to know that you are allergic to any medications and/or natural rubber latex. You can save £10 with code ANA10

Reviewer

This article has been reviewed by Sue Clarke, who is nurse adviser to the Anaphylaxis Campaign.

All the information we produce is evidence based or follows expert opinion and is checked by our clinical and research reviewers. If you wish to know the sources we used in producing any of our information products, please let us know, and we will gladly supply details. Call our helpline (01252 542029) or email [email protected].

Publication date: August 2019

Review date: August 2022

Shopping and Preparing Food

Shopping

Food labelling laws state that food companies must always declare the presence of 14 major allergens when they appear in pre-packed food, and these must be highlighted in the ingredients list (for example, in bold type). A key message is that people with food allergies must read the ingredient list every time they buy a product, even if they have bought it before. Recipes sometimes change.

Warning labels stating that a product “may contain” a particular allergen, such as nuts, are infuriating because they limit choice and make shopping complicated, but often these warnings are there for a reason because of the risks of cross-contamination during the production chain. Our advice to people is clear: Don’t ignore these warnings. You may eat a product numerous times without having a reaction but the next time you may not be so lucky. Cross-contamination can be intermittent.

In the Home

Preparing food for someone with a severe food allergy can be challenging, but managing the risk is a matter of common sense. Simple meals, using fresh meat and vegetables, avoids many of the pitfalls that sometimes arise with packaged foods.

As a household you may decide to give up the offending food, banning it from entering the home. This will guard against mistakes being made and avoid cross-contamination.

If you choose not to ban the allergenic food, be scrupulous about keeping risky foods apart from the safe ones. Wash your hands, cutlery and utensils to prevent cross-contamination. Use plenty of soapy water. To be on the safe side, use separate crockery, cutlery and chopping boards for different foods. Avoid splatters and spillages by covering food up.