Team LAN at ING Team Marathon

 

LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES
YOUR RACE, THEIR LIVES


Luxembourg Allergy Network asbl (LAN) is running the ING team marathon this Saturday to raise awareness about life-threatening allergies and to raise money for LAN. Contributions will help LAN to continue working on its important activities to strive for a better, safer and more inclusive environment for those living with life-threatening allergies in Luxembourg. Just some of its activities include organising family events, support group meetings and awareness stands, allergy awareness lessons at primary schools and creating awareness and educational material. All its work is achieved by a dedicated team of volunteers.


Food allergies are often confused with intolerances or seen as a trend or someone just being a fussy eater. No, for many people with a severe food allergy, coming into contact with their allergen, by touching, inhaling or ingestion, it can have life-threatening and sometimes even fatal consequences. The recent decades have shown an alarming increase in allergies, especially amongst young chidren. Julie, PJ, Tamara and Phil, who are running for team LAN, all have children with severe food allergies and know all too well about the everyday burdens and challenges that food allergies bring with them; the fear and worry of an allergic reaction, the lack of understanding, feeling alone, not being taken seriously, managing food allergies at school, difficult social situations such as birthday celebrations and going to a restaurant. Financial pressures affect families when parents have to reduce working hours or stop their careers to care for their child when they cannot eat at school.

 

Allergies can happen to anyone at any stage in life. There is no cure to allergies, many people do not outgrow their allergies and for many it is a life-long condition. As food is a vital and unavoidable part of everyday life, and many stakeholders, such as family, teachers, friends, restaurants, the general public, are involved, it is so important that there is a greater understanding of the seriousness of this chronic disease.


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