May 8, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rothesay, NB
The Sweet Caroline Foundation announces the launch of a pilot project – Allergy Awareness for Schools – in collaboration with Food Allergy Canada, a national not-for-profit advocacy and education organization for over 2.6 million Canadians living with food allergy. The program includes a new video called “Caroline’s Story.”
“Caroline’s Story” is an emotional, educational video that is the cornerstone of the new program. In it, the Lorette family shares the story of 14 year-old Caroline, who inspired the formation of the Sweet Caroline Foundation in 2014 after dying from an allergic reaction to dairy. The video emphasizes the importance of how and when to use epinephrine as the critical first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
“It was difficult for us to tell Caroline’s story in this video,” said David Lorette, Caroline’s father and Co-Founder of the Sweet Caroline Foundation. “But it is so important to us that no other family faces a tragedy like we have”.
Students at Rothesay High School will participate in the launch of the pilot on Tuesday, May 8th at 11:30am. Along with seeing the video, the school is asking students to wear purple, Caroline’s favourite colour.
May 10th is the official Purple Day for students across New Brunswick, and anyone else who wants to participate.
“Caroline clearly was a young, vibrant teen who shared her enthusiasm for life with others”, said Jennifer Gerdts, Executive Director, Food Allergy Canada. “Through ‘Caroline’s Story’ she leaves a legacy that will continue to raise awareness about the seriousness of food allergies and how important it is for communities to come together to support a growing number of Canadians at risk of anaphylaxis.”
Students will attend an assembly as part of the new schools program pilot at Rothesay High School on May 8th, 2018. This September, the program will be rolled out to middle and high schools in New Brunswick’s Anglophone South School District. Following all school assemblies, students will be encouraged to take the “Anaphylaxis in the Community” course at AllergyAware.ca to learn more about food allergy and anaphylaxis.
For more information please contact:
- Jonathan Barry, Chair, The Sweet Caroline Foundation
- 506-644-8596
- Jonathan.barry@transitionx.com
About the Sweet Caroline Foundation
The Sweet Caroline Foundation was started in remembrance of Caroline Lorette, who passed away at the age of 14 after having a severe allergic reaction to dairy. The Foundation is dedicated to promoting allergy awareness and to spreading Caroline’s story, helping to ensure no family has to endure a tragedy from anaphylaxis. It offers allergy education programming for schools and community organizations helping teach them about not only recognizing and treating anaphylaxis but also having the compassion needed to make it easier for young people living with severe allergies. We are a grassroots organization, focused on making our community a global role model for allergy awareness. For more information please visit sweetcarolinefoundation.ca.
About Food Allergy Canada
Food Allergy Canada is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians live more confidently with food allergies. The organization is committed to creating a safer world for people with potentially life-threatening allergies through education, advocacy, and research. The organization’s approach to reducing the risk of allergic reactions in both children and adults is focused on self-management, community engagement, understanding, and respect. For more information, please visit foodallergycanada.ca.
For more information about Food Allergy Canada please contact:
- Christopher Holcroft
- Empower Consulting, for Food Allergy Canada
- 416-996-0767/ 514-844-0664
- christopherholcroft@hotmail.ca