BJ Hom Memorial Walk, October 13, 2012

On October 13, San Jose will host the 2012 FAAN BJ Hom Memorial Walk in Lake Cunningham Park.  The event is one of many fundraising walks by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network to raise awareness, provide advocacy and education, and advance research for those impacted by food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Bay Area residents Brian and Kathy Hom had been aware of his son BJ's allergies and sensitivities to certain foods.  Hives and itchy throat were symptoms that BJ had previously experienced after eating peanut butter and certain fish.  His family practiced avoidance of these foods and had successfully managed his previous reactions with antihistamines.  (BJ never had his food allergies professionally evaluated so he did not have an Epi-Pen prescription, a fact that his father Brian painfully regrets.)  In 2008 the Homs took a vacation in Mexico to celebrate BJ's high school graduation and 18th birthday.  On their first night there BJ suffered a reaction after eating a buffet dinner.  Within minutes of complaining to his dad about a sore throat, BJ collapsed.  He died of anaphylaxis to peanuts, an ingredient of one of the buffet desserts.

The BJ Hom Memorial Walk will bring friends, families, and community members together to support the fight against food allergies and anaphylaxis.  We have lost too many children and young adults to food-related anaphylaxis.  In the last 12 months alone, food allergies have taken Ammaria Johnson (age 7), Jharell Dillard (age 15) , Diallo Robbins-Brinson (age 15), and Tyler Cody Davis (age 20) all too soon.  As a mother of two kids with multiple food allergies, these tragic deaths break my heart but also instill a deep fear within.  These kids could easily have been mine.  I need to do everything I can to protect my food-allergic kids and other kids like them.

I walk for my precious boys.  Who will you walk for?

By raising money and awareness, FAAN and its supporters aspire to move closer to a world that is safer for all people who are affected by food allergies.  Be a part of the cure and register today for the FAAN walk nearest you.  If you are in the Bay Area, please consider joining Get Allergy Wise's team or forming your own.  Kids, strollers, and baby carriers are welcome!

Bay Area residents: 
Save the date for the FAANadix Car and Motorcycle Fundraiser Show for Food Allergies!
The event takes place on Saturday, July 28, at Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose.  Attractions include live entertainment, gourmet food trucks, raffles, and vendor booths. This is a free viewing for the public.  Participating owners pay a donation fee to show their vehicles.  Come support the event!