FAAN Walk for Food Allergy Comes to Los Angeles

“Nanny Jo” Frost and Kenton Duty to Speak at Event

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two celebrities who know firsthand the challenges of living with food allergies will join supporters of the FAAN Walk for Food Allergy in Los Angeles to raise awareness of food allergy as a serious public health issue. Kenton Duty of Disney’s “Shake It Up” and Jo Frost, best known as the “Super Nanny,” will appear at Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 at noon.

“I’m excited to lend my support and to let others know that I truly get it, and to educate those who don’t, but so need to if we are to live in a safer world.”

Kenton, age 17, who has worked with FAAN on its teen initiatives, was recently featured in a FAAN video urging teens to be prepared for anaphylactic emergencies. This will be Frost’s first appearance at a FAAN event.

“I've lived with the difficulties of managing several food allergies since childhood. Indeed it is always a challenge everyday to be mindful in staying safe,” Frost said. “I’m excited to lend my support and to let others know that I truly get it, and to educate those who don’t, but so need to if we are to live in a safer world.”

Other FAAN Ambassadors at the event will include Cybele Pascal, author of The Allergen-Free Bakers Handbook and Kendall Hollinger, FAAN National Teen Ambassador, advocate and figure skater. Dr. Lawrence Sher from Peninsula Research Associates will serve as Honorary Medical Chair. Kylie Kozar will serve as Honorary Teen Chair and Aeverie Torres will serve as Honorary Youth Chair.

The FAAN Walk for Food Allergy in Los Angeles is one of 45 walks across the country each year to support the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). Since 2004, the Walks have raised more than $14 million for education, research, advocacy and awareness programs.

An estimated 15 million Americans, including nearly 6 million children, have a food allergy.

Registration for FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy is open at www.foodallergywalk.org. Following the walk, participants can enjoy rides, music and AMP Radio entertaining the crowd. Cookbook authors Cybele Pascal and Kelly Rudnicki will host an “Ask the Cooking Experts” station.

About FAAN

Founded in 1991, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN^™) is the world leader in information, resources and programs for food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that afflicts as many as 15 million Americans, including 5.9 million children. A nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, Va., FAAN is dedicated to increasing public awareness of food allergy to educating people about the condition, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by it. FAAN provides educational resources to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry and government officials. On May 9, 2012, FAAN announced its intent to merge with the Food Allergy Initiative, the other leading food allergy organization in the United States, pending state regulatory approval. Visit www.foodallergy.org.