Allergies — no walk in the park

The theme for  Allergy Awareness Week (16-22 May) was ‘Allergies — no walk in the park’.

The aim was to draw to the attention of a wider audience the significance of the impact of allergies on individuals and families.

Often, allergies are dismissed by non-sufferers as being an insignificant health issue – certainly nothing much compared to health issues like cancer. However for those who suffer from allergies, and for their care-givers and family, allergies are a significant, day to day and, in many cases, never-ending challenge to health and wellbeing.

Through Allergy Awareness Week we aimed to improve the status of allergies by drawing the attention of the wider community to the burden of allergies.

At the same time we were reaching out to the many thousands of allergy sufferers who have yet to get their allergic conditions under control and who are not aware of the many sources of information and assistance available to them.

We had displays in ASB branches around the country, and we had over 120 community and school libraries carry displays.

In addition, we had a cracker media campaign — and this is due to all the families who put their hands up to share their stories (thank you to everyone who sent in their stories). We had articles in Taupo, Rotorua, Southland, Auckland and then throughout New Zealand thanks to the Sunday Star Times. We also had features in Littlies magazine, Healthwise, Pharmacy Today, Foodtown magazine and ads in Healthy Food Guide and the Sunday News. We also had air time on Nelson TV, Radio Rheema and Radio 531 PI.