Community Corner

Long Branch Walk Will Help Raise Awareness of Food Allergies

Walk is slated for Sept. 18

Living with food allergies is a difficult task for anyone, but being a parent of a child with food allergies can be even more challenging.

In an effort to aid these families and raise awareness of food allergies, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) Walk is being held in Long Branch on Sept. 18. The 3-mile walk starts on the Great Lawn, north of Pier Village, and begins at 1 p.m. with registration at noon. 

More than 1,500 walkers are expected to participate in the fourth annual FAAN Walk.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

FAAN is a nonprofit organization that educates and spreads awareness of food allergies and also advances research on the condition which affects more than 60,000 New Jersey school children.

One of those children is Courtney Smith, 17, of Middletown, who is severely allergic to milk and is the Honorary Youth Chair for the Walk.

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Every year the Walk gets bigger and is more fun," Courtney said. “I’ve learned to get my calcium and vitamins from fortified juices and fresh vegetables.  I am careful about what I eat; I read food labels and carry Epi-pens (epinephrine).”   

The walk will also include fun activities for children and adults after it has concluded.

Post-walk activities include Buster the Lakewood BlueClaws mascot, American Bounce House Elephant, Star Wars characters, music by DJ Jeff Hofstein, hair extensions by Winks Hair and Lash Studios, games and crafts, and much more.  Dey Pharma, the makers of Epi-pen, will also be offering a chance to win an iPad2.

Millennium Radio New Jersey is a presenting sponsor and will have 94.3 the Point and NJ 101.5 at the event.  The Lakewood BlueClaws and Greater Media Newspapers are also sponsors. 

In addition, the other sponsors that are handing out free ‘allergen safe’ food and drink samples are EnjoyLife, Sunbutter, HomeFree, Cherrybrook Kitchens, Divvies, Ian’s Natural Foods, Wegmans and more.

To register for the Long Branch Walk, visit http://www.foodallergywalk.org/longbranch_nj11.


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