Protecting those at risk of anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a frightening event. It can come on suddenly and progress rapidly, requiring immediate medical treatment. After the initial episode, the patient must be vigilant at all times in order to avoid their allergy trigger – whether it is a food, an insect sting, latex, a prescribed drug or any other agent.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign is a national registered charity, now celebrating its 25th year. Its overall aim is to protect people at risk from this unpredictable condition.

I co-founded the charity in January 1994 after my 17-year-old daughter Sarah, who was a trainee hairdresser, died from an overwhelming allergic reaction to peanut.

Her death occurred after she ate a dessert in a town centre restaurant in Guildford, Surrey. She suffered from chronic asthma and had an inkling that she was allergic to peanuts, but had no idea how serious her allergy could be. On that fateful day in October 1993, the dessert caused her throat to swell and close up, she suffered a severe asthma attack and her blood pressure plummeted. Unknown to her, the dessert contained peanut.