We are raising funds to cover a food allergy treatment program for our two children. Both have been living their entire lives with multiple severe food allergies, 16 and 13 years. They have both experienced anaphylaxis, more times than we can count. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that requires an injection of epinephrine to save their lives. Epinephrine is the only known cure for anaphylaxis.

In addition to food allergies, they also has cat and dog dander allergies, grass and tree allergies, asthma and eczema. The trifecta of having food allergies, asthma and eczema increases the chances of anaphylaxis. One of son’s worst of many reactions was from something unknown. He was 5 years old, playing in the yard and came inside 15 minutes later with swollen eyes, body hives and labored breathing. He required two epinephrine injections, airlifted in a helicopter, went unconscious and experienced 48 hour of relapse reactions that required epinephrine and steroids to save his live.

Our daughter also has had anaphylaxis from an unknown insect bite, fire ants and a wasp sting. When she was in middle school, going outside for her was a challenge psychologically. She has overcome many obstacles and persevered through it all.

Both of them are fearless advocates for themselves and are unapologetic for who they are. We are all grateful they are here today and thriving! It's been a privilege to witness their journey, despite the many challenges along the way.

Last year we found the Food Allergy Institute in Southern California. https://foodallergyinstitute.com/

The treatment is called TIP (Tolerance Induction Program). Their success rate for total remission from food allergies and complete food freedom for patients that complete the program is 99%.

We have had our first visit onboarding visiting! They had skin pricks and blood drawn.

Our daughter had 25 different foods proteins tested in her skin pricks and reacted to 18 of them.

Our son had 31 different food proteins tested in his skin pricks and reacted to 24 of them.

When we return in July, we will have the results of their blood work. The blood work is ran through AI technology to test hundreds of different food proteins. This technology will map out a specific treatment plan unique to the patient. Based off these results they will have maintenance foods and treatment foods that will need to be consumed every day. Maintenace foods are food that they can tolerate reaction free. Treatment foods are food they will get in microdoses, either through custom made gummies the program makes, the actual foods or biosimilar food proteins. An example of biosimilar food proteins would be eating peas to build tolerance to treat a peanut allergy. Another example will be using mare milk to treat cow milk allergy or quail eggs to treat a chicken egg allergy. Once they can tolerate, reaction free their treatment foods, the food moves to a maintenance. Maintenance foods will be a part of their diets for many years to come. For example, once they are able to eat what they are allergic to reaction free, then they will have to eat a certain amount to maintain the tolerance level. Similar to "if you don't use it, you lose it". Every immune system is unique, and food allergies are complex! Since food is being used as medicine, there is a risk of reaction. Just like any other drug on the market, side effects can happen. The program was designed because the founder, Dr. Randhawa was tired of seeing his pediatric patients dying from food allergy reactions. The goal is safely treating food allergies and obtaining remission. This can take up to 3-5 + years. Slow and steady wins the race! Traditional programs like OIT (Oral Immunotherapy) or food challenges have not been option for them, because they must actually eat the food that they have be told can harm them and psychologically not able to do it.

This program will change their lives and give them remission and food freedom. They are ready to take the next step of their food allergy diagnosis and begin the journey of remission. The hope of remission and total food freedom is actual an option for them with this program. It's not a perfect treatment program (what is?!) and it is a daily requirement for many years to come.

Our children live very disciplined lives avoiding food, reading labels, and preparing the majority of their meals at home as restaurants are unable to accommodate them. When they attend social events, they always bring their own food or eat beforehand. It's a habit they are accustomed to and never complain about! They both have traveled all over the World eating whatever is local and safe that we can cook on the properties we stay at. It's been a wonderful way to travel together making friends and seeing family. Though we never truly "shut off" and get fully on "vacation mode" because we are having to source our meals and cook them.

Having food allergies is a massive daily effort to avoid food that does not kill you. For them, either way is effort, and they want their efforts going toward healing their immune systems. They both are tired of having food allergies and motivated!

Our daughter’s motivation to commit to this program is to be able to eat different protein sources. She is very active and loves playing team sports and working out! She played soccer, basketball, ran cross country, flag football, discus and shot put. She was just awarded an athlete scholar award from her school by maintaining a 3.7 GPA while playing sports. She takes AP courses and next year will be doing a work internship and taking college courses online. She needs all the brain and muscle support on the market! She feels her best with more protein in her daily diet. However, it gets repetitive with only animal and dairy protein options. She wants more food options! She loves the ocean, beach, skimboarding and wants to learn to surf. She cooks and bakes delicious meals. She loves the science around food and loves how food makes her feel great. Her goal once in remission is to belly up to a buffet on a cruise ship and eat freely all the while cruising the open seas! We will be there 100% on that day!

Our son’s motivation is to be able to eat out at as a family. His one safe restaurant is Chick-fil-a and he really can only eat two things and thinks it’s mediocre. He also LOVES cats and dogs and can rarely pet or cuddle them or visit friends that have them. He is an animal lover and this sucks for him. He is a natural athlete, very fast and strong! Asthma and eczema defiantly make it difficult, and he had many inactive seasons because he can't be outside. Thankfully he is back on the baseball field this season! This program has additional treatments to treat environmental allergies called SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy). With this program he is lined up to truly heal his immune system and be able to breathe better and be less itchy too. Having to stay indoors a lot in his childhood has given him a chance to tap into his creativity. He is an incredible self-taught artist and an avid gamer. He loves music and dancing too! He is learning his way around the kitchen and makes lovely meals. His loves complex flavors and all different types of foods. He wants to travel to Japan and be able to eat anything there. Sitting down at a restaurant and ordering off the menu without a second thought will be a joy that has no words to explain it!

We share their story to ask for your financial contribution to help offset the cost for us, to give them virtual or real high fives and positive vibes along the way. It is priceless and valuable to receive your love and encouragement. We appreciate all forms of support.

With insurance the cost of the program for 5 years, will cost around $128,000. This includes flights every 8-12 weeks from the East Coast to San Diego, accommodations for 5-6 nights, car rentals and food while traveling.

All money donated here requires a 2% fee. After that, the funds collected will go to pay for their treatments and travel expenses. We are incredible humbled and grateful for every penny.

Other donation options:

Gift cards for flights:

-Delta Airlines or Alaska Airlines

Gift Cards for restaurants:

-Chick-fil-a or Chipotle

Gift Cards for groceries:

-Sprouts, Whole Foods or Target

Gift Card for car rentals:

-Enterprise

Venmo or Zelle to avoid us paying the processing fees.

Thank you for reading to this point.

All the best to you and kind regards!