Dear Friends of Marina,

I need your help.

When Marina was 11-months old, she was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. I read books, attended a conference, watched DVD’s and basically learned all I could about her life-threatening allergy. I diligently studied food labels, shared my DVD’s and books, and educated every babysitter, teacher, friend, or family member who cared for Marina in my absence. Thankfully, she remained safe.

When she was four, Marina’s allergist, a renowned specialist at Johns Hopkins, who also happens to be peanut allergic, did a peanut challenge on her. He thought her bloodwork indicated that it was possible she could have outgrown her allergy. She failed the challenge after 1/33 of a dose, and we were told to expect her to have her allergy for life unless a cure was found. We continued to diligently protect her for the next ten years or so, and thankfully she continued to remain safe.

As Marina grew up, she took over more and more responsibility for her allergy. She read her own labels, asked questions in restaurants or at people’s houses, and learned how to administer her Epipen. I thanked God that of all my children, she was the one with the allergy because she was so conscientious about protecting herself and was never afraid to speak up and refuse a food or ask a question. And thankfully, she remained safe.

Until Monday night.

Marina attended an orchestra banquet and baked a peanut-free dessert for the potluck dessert bar. Accustomed to taking her own desserts to functions and selecting “safe” baked goods from a buffet line, she enjoyed the banquet and headed off to her rehearsal, unaware that the stomach pains she was beginning to feel were not caused by too much sugar and that the itching in the back of her throat was not seasonal allergies.

Within 2 hours, Marina was suffering a full-blown anaphylactic reaction, which left her struggling to breathe and ultimately on an ambulance headed to the emergency room. After receiving IV Benadryl, steroids, and Epinephrine and spending a night for observation, she was released and is recovering at home—a little weak, a little shaken, but very grateful.

We have both replayed the events in our minds over and over ever since—thinking of what we did wrong and what we did right and how God protected her. We are grateful for the lessons and the protection, but we also realize that to stay safe in the future—especially now with an increased risk of a more severe reaction to any future exposure—we really need help.

Even though 16-year-old Marina is extremely responsible and conscientious compared to 4-year-old Marina, none of that will matter if she has lost consciousness or if her throat is swollen shut, and she can’t tell anyone what to do to help her. Even an adult with life-threatening food allergies needs to be surrounded by people who are aware of her allergy and knowledgeable enough to help if needed.

I would be very grateful if you would take a few minutes to read this document that describes the symptoms of an allergic reaction and the steps to take to help someone suffering from one: http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=294 To put this in perspective, Marina’s reaction on Monday night included 5 out of 7 of the Severe Symptoms and all of the Mild Symptoms listed in that document. Marina carries a medication kit with her at all times, and it contains two Epipens and liquid Benadryl as well as a treatment plan. She also has Epipen trainers that she or I can use to show friends how to administer epinephrine in an emergency. It is really easy to do and could be the difference between life and death for her. If you want more detail about food allergies or anaphylaxis, there are other great resources at www.foodallergy.org .

Last year, Marina gave a speech about the importance of food allergy awareness and how awareness of symptoms and treatments can be the difference between life and death for someone with a life threatening food allergy. Monday night, she experienced the reality of that speech after 16 years of living “safely” with her allergy. In her speech, she shared stories of people who weren’t as fortunate as she was that night. Things could have turned out so differently than they did. That has made us acutely aware of the need to inform the people who attend orchestra rehearsal, youth group, debate tournaments, music lessons, and summer camp with Marina just as we did when she was young—not because she is not responsible or capable—but because despite all of the precautions she takes, she could easily end up unable to be either.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. And thanks for being aware and alert on Marina’s behalf. Hopefully you will never need to use this information, but if you do—whether for Marina or a complete stranger—you truly could save a life.

With gratitude,

Marina’s Mom