Food-Free Suite for Food Allergic Basketball Fans

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb 18, 2010 -
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association (AFAA) will host a Food-Free Basketball Suite on February 19, 2010 for the  7 p.m. game against the Chicago Bulls at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

No food will be served in the suite because of the risk to food allergic individuals - particularly children.  The Timberwolves Mascot, Crunch, will visit patrons of the suite, as will the Timberwolves Dance Team.  Tickets - normally $110 - are discounted to $30.

Food allergies affect 12 million Americans - most whom are children.  In Minnesota, 200,000 people have food allergies, including 30,000 school students.

Severe food allergy reactions (anaphylaxis) causes more than 50,000 emergency room visits per year in the U.S.  Alarmingly, food allergies have increased 18% in the past 10 years according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The most common food allergies in the U.S. are milk, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree-nuts (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, etc.), wheat, and soy.

Food allergy reactions can include any of the following: digestive upset, edema (swelling), hives, difficulty breathing, blood pressure drop, and death.  More than 150 people die each year from severe food allergy reactions.