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Welcome to the OASG

A place for parents, family & friends of children with allergies


Mission Statement

Welcome to the Ottawa Anaphylaxis Support Group home page. This volunteer group is dedicated to individuals or families affected by allergies and anaphylaxis - a life-threatening allergic reaction. Our mandate is to share anaphylaxis-related information and promote allergy awareness in and around the greater Ottawa area.

The support group (contact: Karen Eck) is primarily the first line of support for anaphylactic individuals or families. The group holds regular meetings to provide opportunities for both formal discussion and informal get-togethers.


 Introducing... Mangia Cookies!

Notes from Karen's DeskThe OASG’s Manji G. has started her own company called Mangia Cookies!

The cookies that she sells are pre-formed, frozen unbaked cookies that are free of dairy, eggs and peanuts.

We got to taste some of them at our November meeting and they are awesome. You would never know they were free of all those pesky allergens!

Details about the cost, ingredients, etc. can be found on her website.

You can contact her directly by email or by phone at 613.355.2467.


Posted by keck on Thursday, December 03 @ 20:04:02 EST (44 reads)
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 OASG's First Annual Hallowe'en Party a Spooktacular Success!

General News
From Susan Clemens, Party Organizer Extraordinaire and OASG Member:

The OASG had its First Annual Food-Free Family Halloween Party on Friday, October 30th at Immaculata High School.

I wanted to organize this event because I have received so much strength from gathering with other OASG members who are going through an experience similar to mine. I really wanted the OASG children to have that same benefit, if only a few times a year.

I was amazed at the outpouring of support from national and local businesses, especially given the economic climate and the recent allergy backlash articles in the press. Those businesses who provided some really lovely Hallowe'en prizes for the children are:

  • Allergic Living
  • Build A Bear-Bayshore Mall
  • City of Ottawa
  • Dyson Canada
  • East Side Mario’s
  • Here We Grow Again
  • LMNOP Toy Store
  • Loblaws - Carlingwood
  • Melon Head - Place d’Orleans
  • Mrs. Tiggywinkle’s - Place d’Orleans
  • Museum of Civilization
  • Museum of Nature
  • Ottawa Family Cinema
  • Ottawa Senators
  • RCMP
  • Saunders Farm
  • Scholar’s Choice
  • Shopper’s Drug Mart
  • Tiny Hoppers

I was also very grateful for the support of the administration and cleaning staff at Immaculata for allowing us to use their very well cleaned cafeteria to hold the party!


Posted by keck on Monday, November 16 @ 12:55:06 EST (61 reads)
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 whyriskit.ca - Where Real Life and Allergies Collide

General NewsAnaphylaxis Canada has launched Why Risk It? , a site for Canadian youth at risk for anaphylaxis.

www.whyriskit.ca

Aimed at teens and young adults with a food allergy or at risk for anaphylaxis, the intent of the website is to help people manage their allergies while living normally.

The team behind this website is Anaphylaxis Canada’s Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). It consists of 15 food allergic participants from across Canada ranging from 14-24 years of age.

As the home page says...

"Get the facts, learn how to manage risks in difficult situations, like dating or dining out, and see how other teens have coped with their allergies. If you have had an allergic reaction or been in a tricky situation, you can use this site to share your experiences and help others avoid similar risks.

Risks are sometimes hard to avoid when trying to fit in or not stand out. But when it comes to anaphylaxis, even the smallest risk can lead to a potentially life-threatening reaction. In any situation where there is a chance of a reaction, there is really only one question to ask yourself… why risk it?"


Posted by keck on Thursday, June 04 @ 23:38:53 EDT (155 reads)
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 Special Youth Meeting: Allergy Talk – Teens Tell It Like It Is

Notes from Karen's DeskGot severe allergies? Get in the know with an afternoon of discussion and advice for teens and young adults at risk of anaphylaxis.

Sponsored by the Ottawa Anaphylaxis Support Group, this session will give participants a great opportunity to hang out with others who share similar thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Topics such as allergies with respect to dating, high school, travel, lack of understanding from others, and much more, will be moderated by Kyle Dine of Anaphylaxis Canada. Kyle has severe food allergies himself, so he knows what teens with allergies are going through. He’ll also be providing an update on allergy research that you won’t want to miss!

WHERE: Pinecrest Chapters – in the Community Room
Pinecrest Shopping Centre, 2735 Iris Street, Ottawa

WHEN: Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 2-4 pm

WHO: Anyone with allergies (anaphylaxis), aged 13-25!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT! Space is limited, so make sure you reserve a spot by contacting Karen at karen@ottawaasg.com or 819-778-2562 by Saturday, February 7.



Click here to download the poster - feel free to put it up for us.

Posted by keck on Sunday, January 18 @ 21:21:27 EST (258 reads)
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 New OASG poll about desensitization studies

Allergy Research Articles

In the recent past, there have been a number of studies carried out to see if children at risk of anaphylaxis can be helped to outgrow their food allergies, or at least be helped to tolerate trace amounts of their allergen.

Here is some info about the research:

So... would you allow your child to participate in such a study?

Let us know by answering our poll (top right of this page)!


Posted by keck on Monday, September 15 @ 11:08:06 EDT (442 reads)
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 Finally... Food You Can Eat!

Notes from Karen's DeskShirley Plant, the Ottawa-based author of Finally… Food I Can Eat, and her business partner, Helen Niezgoda, will be special guests at the May 7 OASG meeting.

Finally… Food I Can Eat was published earlier this year, and has been getting a lot of very positive press. Shirley and Helen also have their own business called Delicious Alternatives.

On May 7, 2008, the Delicious Alternatives team will be presenting ideas on

  • substitution cooking
  • recipe conversion
  • rotation and elimination diets
  • organic food
  • food additives and preservatives
  • other helpful hints

Needing to go on a special diet plan, whether to lose weight, eat better or avoid foods due to allergies, intolerances or other health concerns, can be a difficult and frustrating task.

Delicious Alternatives specializes in menu planning, recipe creation/conversion and catering for people trying to deal with these issues. Through dietary consultations, they customize menu plans and recipes to meet an individual's needs and goals.

Their recommendations focus on healthy, natural, additive- and preservative-free cooking, customized to clients' lifestyle requirements.

Delicious Alternatives… helping you shed light on food allergies and food intolerances through healthy and creative eating.


Click here to go to the General Store Publishing House online store, where you can order "Finally… Food I Can Eat".

Click here to go to the CTV Regional Contact page, where you can find the segment about Shirley and her journey. (Scroll down to SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2008.)

Click here for more info about the May 7 OASG meeting.


Posted by keck on Tuesday, April 29 @ 21:33:05 EDT (572 reads)
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 Kyle Dine available to give concerts in Ottawa in April

Notes from Karen's DeskKyle Dine, the Allergic Troubadour, will be available to give concerts at schools in Ottawa in April.

For more details about Kyle and his "You Must Be Nuts!" CD for kids with food allergies, go to his website.

For more details about the Ottawa concerts, see the Proposal Letter for Principals.

The dates that Kyle is available to give concerts in the Ottawa region are:

  • April 10-11
  • April 14-16
  • April 21-23
  • If you think your school would be interested, please pass the following materials on to your school principal (or the appropriate party):

  • Proposal Letter for Principals

  • Kyle Dine promo poster

  • Reference letter
  • For more info, please contact Kyle Dine.


    Posted by keck on Sunday, March 02 @ 22:57:30 EST (567 reads)
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     CBC News documentary: Coping with Deadly Allergies

    General NewsIn October 2007, the OASG leader and her family were the focus of a CBC News documentary about living with severe food allergies.

    Click here to go to the CBC News: Sunday website, where you can view the documentary.


    Posted by keck on Saturday, March 01 @ 12:50:46 EST (573 reads)
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     Dr. Pauline Kerr (Ottawa allergist) moving her practice

    Notes from Karen's DeskDr. Pauline Kerr is moving her practice to Appletree Medical Clinic.

    She told me that what is great about Appletree is that she will run the same consulting allergy & asthma practice as she does now, same testing methods, etc. but they have electronic medical records, which she feels is better.

    For more info about Dr. Kerr's practice, see her mydoctor.ca web page.


    Posted by keck on Thursday, September 13 @ 06:49:34 EDT (2595 reads)
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     Label law delay angers activists

    Allergies & the LawImpatience grows over progress of life-or-death issue

    May 03, 2007
    Peter Krivel, Toronto Star, Staff reporter

    Canadians who suffer from food allergies continue to wait for common-sense food-labelling laws that should have been on the books at least a year ago.

    Health Canada's amendments to labelling regulations were made two years ago. All that's needed before they are put into effect is final comments from interested parties.

    For the full story, click here.


    Posted by keck on Saturday, May 05 @ 10:15:51 EDT (780 reads)
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         Survey
    Would you let your child participate in a desensitization study?

    Yes - but only for dairy
    Yes - but only for eggs
    Yes - but only for peanuts
    Yes - for any of the above
    No - it's too scary
    Not sure



    Results
    Polls

    Votes 119




    This site is designed for the soul purpose of allowing our members to share information about our common concern. Information posted to this site is done so with the best of intentions. We are not responsible for information posted to the linked sites that we have established contact with. We will remove any information as soon as it is found to be untrue.
    The material on this website was written to provide a guideline for care. The authors and OASG disclaim any responsibility for any adverse effects resulting from the information presented on this website. The information enclosed is not designed to take the place of a doctor's instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care. The inclusion of brand name medications or medical devices does not imply endorsement by OASG.
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