Help Luna Become Allergy Free

Hi, my name is Amy, I am a Montauk native, and mother to my 5 year old daughter Luna. When Luna was 7 months old she was diagnosed with several life threatening allergies. What began as an angry rash on her cheeks has turned into a full blown anaphylactic allergies to dairy, peanuts, egg, tree nuts and sesame. She is also allergic to dust, dogs, and a variety of trees.

Anaphylactic means that if she accidentally ingests the allergen she goes into what is called anaphylactic shock. It requires immediate medical attention including an epi-pen and visit to the ER. If left untreated, it could mean death for her. As awful as that is to even fathom, it is a real threat. Because some of Luna's allergies are so severe, she has had airborne reactions from breathing in the vapors of something being cooked as well as contact reactions from touching something she's allergic to.

Luna is a generally happy 5 year old little girl. That being said, her life has been greatly impacted by her allergies. Regular activities like birthday parties and playdates bring with them many worries about potential contact to her allergens. Even everyday things like going to the playground are a serious concern. For example, if a friend has eaten something she's allergic to and then holds Luna's hand, and Luna happens to rub her eye...that's going to be a serious medical emergency. If she sits on a piece of equipment or a chair that has residues of one of her allergens, this will bring immediate hives that turn into prolonged bouts of eczema that take months to heal from. Even touching a book at the library that has milk residue for example means serious trouble for my girl. Unfortunately, asthma is another by-product in children with allergies which Luna has as well.

Luna has been to the ER on more than one occasion due to accidental exposure. I have had to administer ephedrine via her epi-pen while waiting for medics to arrive to bring her to the hospital via ambulance. It has left a big impact on her and is something she fears will happen again. Being that we also live over an hour from the hospital adds another level of concern to an already serious matter. Everywhere we go, we travel with her epi-en, Zyrtec, creams, wipes, etc as an exposure could happen at any given moment.

Having severe allergies like this can be very isolating and heartbreaking at times. This sort of life is all little Luna knows, but I believe there is hope for her. When she was initially diagnosed as a baby, I remember her first allergist just looked at me with sadness and pity, said "sorry" and sent me on my way. I didn't fully grasp what life was going to be like at the time, but now I know more than ever the daily anxiety I experience as her sole caregiver simply keeping her safe.

I was told that there is no cure for Luna's allergies, and that she would have to live a life of avoiding her allergies. Can you imagine the impact of that? For school, friendships, travel, etc? While it's true, it is all possible to have a life with severe allergies, but it would be extremely limited. I simply refused to believe that there was nothing possible that could be done, and it led me down a journey of searching out a treatment for her, in order for Luna to be healed and free once and for all.

The happy news is that, after years of research, Luna began allergy treatment in NYC at ARTAllergy this past August. With 20 years and over 800 patients completely healed and able to eat freely, I am confident that I chose the correct path for Luna's healing. She is responding well to the treatment so far. She is recently completed the first phase of her treatment which healing her immune system and repairing the health of her gut. After that, the focus has been on environmental allergies and she is soon to begin the food phase of her treatment.

ART is not covered by insurance, and is costly. It requires weekly trips into NYC from Montauk and is a full day of travel. The whole process is relatively "fast" compared to other modalities but it is expected to take two years at the least. Luna is in her second month, and we have a long ways to go. Upon graduating from ART, Luna will be able to eat anything and everything she wants. And most importantly, she will be free to be a little girl that is safe to play on playgrounds, eat at actual restaurants, go to parties worry free and so much more.

I am humbling asking for financial support to help pay for Luna's treatments and travel. Any amount is very gratefully welcome. If you'd like to contribute in a different way by scheduling sessions for yoga, breathwork or coaching, that is also very much welcome.