I am an advocate on behalf of the non-profit organization, FARE, Food Allergy Research & Education. As a member, I strive to promote food allergy education to my local community, my state, and beyond. In support of FARE’s Food Allergy Awareness Week 2023, I reached out to my Pennsylvania State Senator and my local House of Representatives to support FARE and recognize Food Allergy Awareness Week as May 14-20, 2023. When reaching out, I discussed my personal and professional connection to Food Allergies and requested a Proclamation recognizing the designated Week. Proclamations help educate our elected officials about how serious food allergies are and how many people are affected.

This meant that the State of Pennsylvania “turned teal” as part of FARE’s #TealTakeover 2022. Teal is the National color for food allergy awareness and a Proclamation was declared in Pennsylvania.

It was empowering to be a role model for my daughter and to take part in advocacy. Another special part of this was support on a local level. Our local State Representative supported Food Allergy Awareness Week and wanted to present our proclamation at our local Community Day! My whole family and I met with our state representative as he presented it to us. Meeting him in-person was fantastic because I was able to explain how food allergies tie into daily life and ask for his support in legislation for bills that support families and individuals with food allergies.