Talking Allergies

Thanks Gwen and AL. As with the previous letter-writing campaign, it is well thought out and well written. Something I can fully support.

I have posted a link on another allergy forum, as well as on my Facebook page. (At least, I think it's there -- I'm still not very good with FB.)

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self: allergy to sesame seeds and peanuts
3 sons each with at least one of the following allergies: peniciilin, sulfa-based antibiotic, latex, insect bites/stings

AnnaMarie, Lisa, Susan ...

You women are great!
Thanks so much for your efforts. It will really help. G

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

It's a great initiative! I mentioned this campaign on my website dedicated to food allergies. I hope that many of my readers will send letters (although most of them are francophone).

Once again, bravo for taking the lead on this important matter!

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www.dejouerlesallergies.com

Marie-Josée - milles fois merci for spreading the word about the campaign, and for your kind words. Nice to meet you!!

Lisa, due to popular demand - including your suggestion - we've upped the goal to 1,500. So half way there. 750 letters and growing ....

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

It was only about 650 when I posted. That's a lot in one day.

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self: allergy to sesame seeds and peanuts
3 sons each with at least one of the following allergies: peniciilin, sulfa-based antibiotic, latex, insect bites/stings

Now over 800 letters - that is really good.

In Canada, 800 customers is a lot of people to hear from. Anyone who can still help us push it to 1,000, please do so.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Great initiative! I sent an e-mail to many of my friends by e-mail last week and got a lot of "I did it" and many also forwarded the e-mail to their own list of friends... it's easy to reach so many people in so little time by e-mail Being that my friends know that my allergies are what's keeping me from flying, it was really easy to convince them to participate.

Can't wait to see the results!

Mylène... still dreaming of flying again

A friend of the family sent it to all of his employees (owns his company). They really came through for me when I tried the labelling petition on my own so I'm sure they were/are going to be big contributors. Also, notice is officially up at my aunt's daycare and still waiting to think of other ideas

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Associate Editor at Allergic Living.
Allergies to all nuts and legumes except soy and green beans.

Hi Mylene, <waving>

Nice to see you again.

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self: allergy to sesame seeds and peanuts
3 sons each with at least one of the following allergies: peniciilin, sulfa-based antibiotic, latex, insect bites/stings

Over 900 letters.

In case you wondered; at AL we decided it would be more impressive to print off all the letters and comments and send them to Air Canada and WestJet. Those have just gone out the door to the airline CEOs.

We'll do a second, third round as needed. Will let you know what response we get from them.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Also, got this interesting, encouraging message this a.m. :

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

That is cool.

I have a question. The previous write-in campaign, when I sent my letter to the PM, there was a copy sent to my outlook in the *sent file*. Then, I received a form letter response from the PM's office.

This time, nothing appeared in my sent box. Is that because you opted to print and send hard copies?

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self: allergy to sesame seeds and peanuts
3 sons each with at least one of the following allergies: peniciilin, sulfa-based antibiotic, latex, insect bites/stings

AM, that's odd - I got the webmaster to check and your letter was received.

The system was set up to send an e-mail copy of the letter to the person who signs up. Don't know why yours didn't arrive.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Everyone - we're at 949 letters - any of you who might still have a few people you can tell? Would be significant (statisically speaking) to put us over 1,000.

In case you want to copy/paste, here is the letter that AL sent to its subscriber and e-letter registrants:

Airlines and Allergies:
Reduce-the-Risk Campaign

Dear Friends,

Allergic Living magazine has launched an online write-in campaign to the two major Canadian airlines – Air Canada and WestJet.

The purpose? To request that Canada’s top airlines develop clear, consistent, communicated policies on food allergies that include a few measures to prevent dangerous in-flight reactions.

To gain the airlines’ interest, they need to receive great numbers of letters. So we need your help. Please take five minutes – and take part in the campaign at www.allergicliving.com (see the green box, upper right).

Facts to consider:
– An aircraft, flying thousands of feet in the air, presents a unique and confined environment, beyond reach of a hospital.
– Nut snacks are commonly consumed aboard aircraft (often carried on by other passengers). There is a higher chance of accidental exposure to top allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts and sesame aboard a plane than in any other public environment – except for a baseball park.
– A recent U.S. study shows about 10 per cent of those with food allergies are having in-flight reactions. Better precautions would reduce reaction rates.
– The number of people living with food allergies has grown significantly in the past decade, representing an increasing segment of the flying public.

Your participation in this write-in effort is urgently needed. Again, you may take part at www.allergicliving.com Please make your voice heard, and thank you for your support.

Regards,
Gwen Smith

Editor, Allergic Living
editor@allergicliving.com

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

I copy & pasted the entire letter as a note on facebook. It should show up on people's newsfeeds that way. And even those not directly dealing with food allergies might see it and join in.

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self: allergy to sesame seeds and peanuts
3 sons each with at least one of the following allergies: peniciilin, sulfa-based antibiotic, latex, insect bites/stings