The Anaphylaxis Campaign host exclusive UK online launch of ‘Leo’s Story’

Friday 27th October 2017

Today the Anaphylaxis Campaign are hosting the exclusive UK online launch of ‘Leo’s Story’, a short peanut allergy disease awareness film, to coincide with its live debut at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology’s (EAACI’s) Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Meeting (PAAM) taking place in London between 26th and 28th October 2017.

Produced by Aimmune Therapeutics Ltd, the moving film tells a story without words about a young boy with peanut allergy, to help raise awareness that living with the threat of a reaction due to a severe food allergy can have a huge emotional impact on children and their families. In the UK it is estimated that around 5 – 8 % of children have a proven food allergy with up to 1 in 55 children having a peanut allergy.

Chief Executive of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, Lynne Regent, who co-Chaired a symposium about living with food allergy at the PAAM event, said:

“It is very exciting that the Anaphylaxis Campaign is hosting the exclusive online launch of ‘Leo’s Story’ in the UK. Many people in the general population do not understand just how serious allergy and anaphylaxis can be and we hope that by watching this video more people will be able to understand that having severe food allergies like peanut allergy can have a huge emotional impact on children and their families.

We provide information and support to parents and carers of children at risk of severe allergies through our free helpline and support groups run by dedicated volunteers. Our support groups provide a vital touch point for affected families and individuals and are a really positive way for them to support each other.”

Audrey Dunn Galvin of the School of Applied Psychology at University College Cork, who acted as psychological advisor for the film production team, said:

“Living with a severe food allergy like peanut allergy has an emotional and psychological impact on children, young people and their families. The ‘Leo’s Story’ video beautifully captures the experience of a young boy I spoke to who asked his mum “when will I be normal?” and gives a voice to all children living and coping with food allergy. Managing food allergy can be a challenge – one that parents and carers take on every day to ensure that their children lead happy and healthy lives.”

#LeosStory: Watch. Share. Raise awareness.

Watch the film on YouTube here.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign provide information and support to parents and carers of children at risk of severe allergies through our free helpline and support groups run by dedicated volunteers.

Our helpline team love to answer your questions about allergies and reactions and put your mind at rest over the things concerning you. Contact 01252 542029 or email info@anaphylaxis.org.uk between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday with your allergy problems or questions.

Our support groups are the perfect chance to meet other people living with severe allergies in your area, share experiences, swap tips and talk about what’s on your mind in a relaxed, supportive setting. The groups are free to attend and open to adults as well as families affected by anaphylaxis and other related allergies. For more information please visit our website page here.