Sure Foods Living - for celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and food allergies

This past Saturday, my family and friends participated in the 3 mile Walk for Food Allergy to raise money for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). I am proud to report that our team, Team Sure Foods Living, went way over our fundraising goal! Woo-hoo! Thank you to the team members for walking and raising money, and to everyone who donated. Every little bit helped! If you didn’t get a chance to walk or donate this year, don’t worry — I’ll find you next year.

It was a beautiful walk, despite the light rain, through Golden Gate Park — by the DeYoung Museum, the Japanese Tea Gardens, Stowe Lake and the Chinese Pavilion. At the beginning and end of the walk, people were able to get samples and information from various vendors, and the children’s entertainment was awesome! Kids were captivated by the Mad Scientist, Suzy Q the Clown, face painting, and the jumpy houses. Hula and Tahitian dancers and drummers performed while we ate our lunch in the park. It was also nice to see and meet people in person that I usually only communicate with online, like Gabrielle (aka Peanut Free Mama) and Lynda Taschek, co-chair of the event. Thanks to everyone who helped to put this walk on!

It was so wonderful to see everyone come out to raise awareness about food allergies. People had made t-shirts and signs to show who they were supporting at the walk, and there was a Faces of Food Allergies board where people put pictures of their loved ones with food allergies. Also included on the board was the news article about a San Jose boy who died this past July from eating a dessert with a trace of peanuts while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas. His family wants everyone to be aware of what happened to their son. This is a tragic reminder that we as parents need to continue to be vigilant about protecting our children. I am so sorry for their loss.

Let’s continue to raise awareness about the reality of food allergies. I’m already looking forward to next year’s walk! See you there!