Today was a very exciting day, we were visited by Melissa Mecija and Jason (camera man) from KSBY News. They came into our home, and did an interview with Cooper about his food allergies. Cooper was very excited to talk about his dog, and his conditons. I think he was even more excited to play with Jason's Camera, and look at the microphones. Jason and Cooper played a long time with "Big Boy" Wallie while John and I were being interviewed.
It was a very special day for us, not only in hopes to reaching our goal, but to raise awareness on life threatening allergies, that 18% of children suffer from.
Another GREAT thing that happened today, was Cool Hand Luke's in Santa Maria called to inform us, that they have arranged a dedication night for Cooper's Benefit. This event will be held on September 8th from 5-8pm, and 10% of the customers bill will be donated to Coopers Fund.
We hope to see you on September 8th at Cool Hand Luke's, and we will keep you informed of all the upcoming events.
A big Thank You to Melissa, Jason and KSBY News for taking our story!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
An Insight To The Life Of Cooper
Our son is four years old, and his name is Cooper Giron. He is severely allergic to any and all nuts and oranges and is very asthmatic. When and if Cooper eats, touches or is surrounded by anything that may contain these ingredients, including lotions, soils, bean bags, bird food etc. his body will go into anaphylactic shock.
Anaphylactic will kill, and could happen in 20 minutes or less, or cause permanent brain damage to our son, if not treated in time. He experienced anaphylactic shock in June 2008, and almost passed away. He was hospitalized at Sierra Vista Hospital in SLO, for three days. Each time a child experiences anaphylactic shock, it increases their chances of death if it were to happen again.
Coopers allergist, of the Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, informed us that Cooper has the highest nut allergy he has ever seen in a child, and informed us that our sons life could be at risk if he goes to public school, due to the fact of all the food that is on a school campus, and oils left behind on tables, text books, pencils and so on from the foods that he is allergic to.
The only way our son would be able to go to school every day, and reduce his risk of death, would be with a Service Dog. The Service Dogs are specially trained to detect minute traces of tree nuts, peanuts and oranges and alert Cooper if he is in danger. You can check out these amazing Service Dogs at http://www.angelservicedogs.com/
The service dogs cost around $10,000. John and I are not able to afford this, and fear that if we do not raise the money, Cooper will not be able to experience going to school, like most other children. There is a lot that our son is not able to do, like go to a baseball game, trick-or-treat with out fear, or enjoy simple parties like birthdays or holidays if away from home, the last thing we want is for him not to have the experience of going to school.
If you would like to learn more about this allergy you can visit www.foodallergy.org
Anaphylactic will kill, and could happen in 20 minutes or less, or cause permanent brain damage to our son, if not treated in time. He experienced anaphylactic shock in June 2008, and almost passed away. He was hospitalized at Sierra Vista Hospital in SLO, for three days. Each time a child experiences anaphylactic shock, it increases their chances of death if it were to happen again.
Coopers allergist, of the Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, informed us that Cooper has the highest nut allergy he has ever seen in a child, and informed us that our sons life could be at risk if he goes to public school, due to the fact of all the food that is on a school campus, and oils left behind on tables, text books, pencils and so on from the foods that he is allergic to.
The only way our son would be able to go to school every day, and reduce his risk of death, would be with a Service Dog. The Service Dogs are specially trained to detect minute traces of tree nuts, peanuts and oranges and alert Cooper if he is in danger. You can check out these amazing Service Dogs at http://www.angelservicedogs.com/
The service dogs cost around $10,000. John and I are not able to afford this, and fear that if we do not raise the money, Cooper will not be able to experience going to school, like most other children. There is a lot that our son is not able to do, like go to a baseball game, trick-or-treat with out fear, or enjoy simple parties like birthdays or holidays if away from home, the last thing we want is for him not to have the experience of going to school.
If you would like to learn more about this allergy you can visit www.foodallergy.org
Food Allergies
Each year Over 7 million Americans are diagnosed with food allergies, 3 million of which are children. Food allergies can be life threatening, and there is no cure. On average there are over 30,000 emergency room visits each year due to allergic reactions, over 200 deaths, and 94% of the food related deaths, are due to a reaction from a peanut or tree nut. (Almond, walnut, cashew, pecan, Brazilian nut etc.)
If a person comes into contact with his/her allergen by touch, ingestion or inhaulation their body can go into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic can kill. When a person is having an anaphylactic reaction, they may experience, a sever rash, hives, vomiting, swollen face, and most importantly their throat can swell up, cutting off all oxygen supply; That individual could suffocate during the reaction, and more than likely die.
While most parents teach their allergic children to always read ingredients, and to only eat food that was packed from home, it is still not enough to keep their child safe, the same goes for adults and teens. Many allergens can be hidden, manufactures can make mistakes on their labeling, and one of the biggiest problems is the unseen allergen. If some one was eating something that your allergic to (ie. peanut butter and jelly sandwich) and then touches a book, door Handel, keyboard ect, then you touch it, you can go into anaphylactic shock.
Researchers are still trying to figure out why the peanut allergy is on the rise, especially with young children. It is believed that novel proteins, chemicals, and allergens have been introduced to our food and vaccine supply within the last 10 years. It is believed that the chemicals are creating a toxin overload, impacting the immune system of the new generation of children.
There is some medical research being done to try to find a cure for individuals with life threatening food allergies(s). It is still years away, due to lack of funding and knowledge.
Angel Service Dogs is an organization which trains specialized allergen detection dogs, to keep children safe and out of harm, so that a child can live a NORMAL life. http://www.angelservicedogs.com/
If you would like to learn more about food allergies please visit http://www.foodallergy.org/.
Another thing worth mentioning is, if your child has a life threatening food allergy(s) he/she falls under the American Disability Act (ADA). You can learn more about the California laws for nut allergies at http://www.peanutallergy.com/ under awareness and advocacy.
If a person comes into contact with his/her allergen by touch, ingestion or inhaulation their body can go into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic can kill. When a person is having an anaphylactic reaction, they may experience, a sever rash, hives, vomiting, swollen face, and most importantly their throat can swell up, cutting off all oxygen supply; That individual could suffocate during the reaction, and more than likely die.
While most parents teach their allergic children to always read ingredients, and to only eat food that was packed from home, it is still not enough to keep their child safe, the same goes for adults and teens. Many allergens can be hidden, manufactures can make mistakes on their labeling, and one of the biggiest problems is the unseen allergen. If some one was eating something that your allergic to (ie. peanut butter and jelly sandwich) and then touches a book, door Handel, keyboard ect, then you touch it, you can go into anaphylactic shock.
Researchers are still trying to figure out why the peanut allergy is on the rise, especially with young children. It is believed that novel proteins, chemicals, and allergens have been introduced to our food and vaccine supply within the last 10 years. It is believed that the chemicals are creating a toxin overload, impacting the immune system of the new generation of children.
There is some medical research being done to try to find a cure for individuals with life threatening food allergies(s). It is still years away, due to lack of funding and knowledge.
Angel Service Dogs is an organization which trains specialized allergen detection dogs, to keep children safe and out of harm, so that a child can live a NORMAL life. http://www.angelservicedogs.com/
If you would like to learn more about food allergies please visit http://www.foodallergy.org/.
Another thing worth mentioning is, if your child has a life threatening food allergy(s) he/she falls under the American Disability Act (ADA). You can learn more about the California laws for nut allergies at http://www.peanutallergy.com/ under awareness and advocacy.
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