The 2011 FAAN Walk for Food Allergy in the Triangle Area will take place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, NC on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 a.m. Dr. Michael Land of Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center will serve as the Local Honorary Medical Chair, and Nisha Bhandaru, student at Panther Creek High School will serve as the Local Honorary Youth Chair.

The event, held in more than 40 cities across the country as well as online to support the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), increases awareness about food allergies and raises funds for advocacy, education, and research.

As many as 15 million Americans, including nearly six million children, have a food allergy — that’s one in 13 children. Food allergies are a potentially life-threatening medical condition, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that food allergies result in more than 300,000 ambulatory-care visits a year among children.

Registration for FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy is free and available online. Individuals, families, community groups, and anyone wishing to raise funds for FAAN are encouraged to register and attend this family-friendly event.

The 1.5 mile walk will start at 9:00 a.m. Following the walk, participants can enjoy games and fun activities for all ages.

“I am honored to be a part of the FAAN Walk again this year. As a physician, I am particularly interested in treating patients with food allergies, which came about because of my three family members who have peanut allergy,” said Local Honorary Medical Chair, Dr. Michael Land. “It is so important for us all to promote advocacy and education to our patients, families, and friends. The FAAN Walk is a great way to bring our community together to raise awareness and support for potentially lifesaving research.”

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 almost 6 million children. A nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, Va., FAAN has approximately 22,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and 58 other countries. It is dedicated to increasing public awareness of food allergy and its consequences, to educating people about the condition, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by it. FAAN provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials. To become a member or for more information, please visit FAAN at www.foodallergy.org.