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Allergy New Zealand Incorporated

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Read more about Allergy New Zealand Incorporated:

Vision: Quality of life of people living with allergies.

Mission: To provide information, education and support, and represent the interests of people with allergies, especially children and their families.

The Issues: Around one million people suffer in New Zealand from allergic diseases, predominantly young working adults and their children; For most allergic conditions, there is no cure and sufferers have to treat symptoms and avoid the triggers as far as possible; Allergens (which trigger immune-system responses) include things that are widespread in our every-day environment, such as dust-mites, pollens, grasses, bees & wasps, foods, chemicals, pets and medicines. They are therefore very difficult to avoid; The symptoms of allergies, including allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, eczema, and gastric upsets, make sufferers unwell and can be very debilitating even with medications. They can significantly limit participation in any aspect of life including family, school, work, sport, recreation, social-life and travel. This in turn can lead to frustration, loneliness, anxiety and depression; Anaphylaxis, the most severe form of reaction, can be life-threatening and usually happens within minutes of exposure to the allergen concerned (e.g. food or insect sting).

Those at risk need to carry adrenaline wherever they go and be prepared at all times for an emergency. In the case of a reaction they will need to go to hospital for emergency treatment and (at the least) observation for several hours. Those who have had anaphylaxis, particularly to food, often experience post-traumatic stress disorder.

Allergic conditions have become more prevalent, more complex and more severe in recent times. International research indicates that this is due to complex interactions between genetics and our changing environment; However publicly-funded allergy services are limited in many parts of New Zealand and many allergy-related medications and treatments are also not funded, including the adrenaline auto-injector which is needed for those with anaphylaxis; Therefore dealing with allergies, including getting a correct diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and the right advice in order to lead a normal life, for most New Zealanders with allergies is difficult, time-consuming, complex and costly.

This is where Allergy New Zealand comes in, to provide information and support on understanding what an allergy is, what is involved in getting a diagnosis, and how to manage on a day-to-day basis in avoiding the allergen(s) concerned.

 

What We Do:

• Provide evidence-based information on all aspects of allergy;
• Provide education to key stakeholders including patients, families, health & education professionals, policy-makers, and the food industry;
• Provide support to families and individuals with complex and/or life-threatening allergies;
• Represent the interests of people living with allergies in all relevant forums;
• Promote research into allergy in New Zealand.

What we achieved in the last 12 months:

• More than 27 years of voluntary service to the community;
• Over 1,100 families as members;
• Managed 160,000 contacts for information & support;
• Interdepartmental Group on Allergens convened by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority following our submission to Government;
• Convened the New Zealand Anaphylaxis Working Party;
• Facilitated studies on
  • Use of Adrenaline by Ambulance Services in NZ and
  • A Study of the Management of Anaphylaxis in Auckland City Schools (conducted by Auckland University);
• Partners in a national research project on Food Allergy with the Auckland District Health Board;
• Range of publications including the NZ Pollen Calendar, The New Zealand Food Allergy Cookbook, quarterly magazine Allergy Today, and the Allergy Education Guide for Schools and Pre-Schools;
• Information, training and education provided to more than 400 health and education professionals and food sector representatives;

Who we are:

• Incorporated Society since 1981;
• registered with the Charities Commission in 2007;
• Head Office with 6 staff across 4 full-time equivalent positions;
• Elected Board with 10 members;
• Medical panel of Allergy & Immunology clinicians, Nurse specialists and Dietitians;
• Volunteer National Support Network including 12 Regional Coordinators Support Groups;
• Allergy New Zealand Ambassador: Peter Charles Leitch QSM;
• 1,100 family, professional and corporate members;
• Founding members of the international Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Alliance;
• Associate members of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy;
• Funded through grants, donations, membership subscriptions and fundraising.

Winning a donation from Sovereign will help us achieve:

We would put a donation from Sovereign Sunshine towards extending the capacity of our Information Service through our 0800 line. Currently our 0800 line goes to a voice mail box and is cleared by a volunteer. We have applied for funding to upgrade our telephone system so we can bring the 0800 line in-house. However there will be an increased cost for line rental & toll calls of about $5,000 per year plus salary & overheads for experienced staff to answer calls directly.

The intended outcomes of this project are:

• Increased support for families and individuals with complex allergic conditions, particularly those (the majority) with limited access to specialist services;
• Increased membership and e-network through which to disseminate up-to-date information;
• Increased awareness of allergies and empathy particularly for children with food allergy, eczema and anaphylaxis.

Our details:

Registration No:	CC10148
Region:	Hawke's Bay/East Coast, Waikato/Bay of Plenty/Rotorua, Manawatu/Wanganui/Kapiti, Northland, Taranaki, Wellington, Auckland, Central Auckland, South Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, East Auckland, Canterbury/South Canterbury, Nelson/Marlborough, Otago/North Otago, Southland, West Coast
Category:	Parental advice and support, Children's health - life threatening illness
Contact Person:	Penny Jorgensen (CEO)
Address:	P.O. Box 56 117 Dominion Road AUCKLAND.
Telephone:	09 623 3912
Email:	ceo@allergy.org.nz
Website:	www.allergy.org.nz
No. helped nationally:	1,100 families as members
No. helped per project:	25,000 children with food allergies, their families and community
Existing sponsors or funders:	As a voluntary not-for-profit organisation, Allergy New Zealand is dependent on the support of many people in many roles including: Volunteers Members Funders Donors Sponsors Through the course of any one year we have many supporting organisations which we would like to acknowledge. The list of organisations that have supported us over the last 12 months is on our website.