WELCOME

AAFA’s New England Chapter serves the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Since 1979, we have assisted thousands with asthma and allergies to live safer, healthier lives in many ways. We help adult patients and parents learn how to manage their asthma and allergies, including food allergies, in many settings. We train childcare providers, nurses and respiratory therapists; publish a newsletter and other educational materials; and provide telephone information and referrals to individuals and agencies. We work in communities and with the media to raise awareness about the seriousness of life-threatening allergies and asthma, and advocate for policies to support and improve the lives of people with asthma and allergies. Let us know how we can help YOU!

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Educational Support Group Programs

Provide you with opportunities to learn from experts, get your questions answered, meet others who share your concerns, find resources and gain confidence.

Coming soon:
Feb. 2, 2015: “Food Allergies and EoE” (Speaker: Allergist Wayne Shreffler, MD) (Lexington, MA)
Feb. 10, 2015 AND
Feb. 24, 2015: “Food Allergies: What Would YOU Do?” (Newton, MA and Salem, MA)

Mark your calendar for March, April and May:
“Cooking and Baking for People with Food Allergies” featuring author and blogger Colette Martin
“Talking with Children about Their Food Allergies” featuring psychologist Nancy Rotter, PhD.
“Food Allergy Mortality: Confronting Fear with Facts and Confidence” featuring allergist Michael Pistiner, MD
“Testing for Food Allergies: New Advances and What They Mean For You” featuring allergist Cristina Palumbo, MD
“Food Allergy Desensitization Research” featuring allergists and researchers Yamini Virkud, MD, MA, MPH and Andrew MacGinnittie, MD, PhD

Click here for meeting schedules, locations, and to learn more about support groups

We are in the process of planning additional programs for 2015.

Fill out the form at the right to make sure you are on our e-mail list to receive meeting announcements for your area.

Save the date for these SPECIAL EVENTS:
Kyle Dine Concert – Saturday, April 18, 2015
Enjoy a fun-filled performance of educational and inspiring songs for children about how to live with food allergies. (Time and location: TBA.)

“Laughter is the Best Medicine” – May 1, 2015
Mark your calendar for the annual AAFA New England “Breath of Spring” fundraiser – an enjoyable evening to support the programs and services that benefit your family.

NEWS & ALERTS

Children with asthma are at higher risk for severe respiratory illness from the Enterovirus

With children back in school, the fall illness season has begun. An outbreak of the rare enterovirus (EV D-68) is hospitalizing kids across the country.

Most people who are infected do not need to seek medical care and will experience typical cold-like symptoms. IMPORTANT: Children with asthma are at higher risk for complications from respiratory infections, and are being affected more severely by this virus..

If you have a child with asthma, be sure that your child has an up-to-date asthma action plan created with his or her primary care doctor or asthma specialist. Be sure to keep up with daily controller medications and have your child’s quick-relief medicine (bronchodilator such as albuterol) on hand at school, sports, etc.

The illness worsens quickly, so keep a close watch for severe respiratory symptoms, especially wheezing and difficulty breathing, and don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical care. For example, call your doctor promptly if your child has unusual nighttime awakenings due to asthma.

Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap, to not share drinks or utensils, and to avoid close contact with anyone who is ill.

There is no vaccine and no cure for this viral infection, which typically runs its course in about a week.

Click here to learn more about the currently circulating enterovirus, known as “non-polio EV D-68.”

Flu season is upon us! Get Your Flu Shot As Soon as Possible

Make sure everyone in your family over the age of 6 months is protected. People with asthma are at higher risk of serious complications from the flu.

Read our newsletter!
Click here to have a look at back issues.
Become a member to receive your own copy when it is published.

Join our e-mail list to receive e-mail announcements about news and resources, as well as upcoming AAFA New England meetings and programs. Fill out the form at the right or send us your e-mail address and tell us where you live, so we can let you know about events in your area. We will not share your name or e-mail address with anyone.

Is this website useful to you?
What would you like to see? Send an e-mail (to Sharons@aafane.org) or call (781-444-7778) to let us know.

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WELCOME

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Educational Support Group Programs

NEWS & ALERTS

SPONSORS