Food Allergy Immunotherapy (FAIT) Program News
Saving lives with food allergy immunotherapy: Dr. Edmond Chan
Dr. Edmond Chan and Tamara Taggart talk about how food allergy immunotherapy (FAIT) is reshaping lives and offering hope to many people with life-threatening food allergies.
What is food allergen immunotherapy and how has it advanced over the past 5 years?
Watch Food Allergy Canada's webinar featuring Dr. Edmond Chan to learn about food allergen immunotherapy and its various forms, like oral immunotherapy (OIT), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), and epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT).
This session covers who the treatments are best suited for, what they can and cannot accomplish, what the current landscape is for each therapy, and what’s on the horizon.
New research from the FAIT program finds that SLIT is safe and effective
New research published in late February shows that real-world sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) using grocery store products is safe for moderate to severe food allergy in older children and adolescents, with very few reactions receiving epinephrine, and no severe reactions. Additionally, the data show that 2 years of SLIT maintenance therapy is an effective way to bypass the buildup phase of oral immunotherapy (OIT), which is often associated with significant symptoms, especially in older children and adolescents.
Read the article in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology for free: Safety and Effectiveness of bypassing oral immunotherapy buildup with an initial phase of sublingual immunotherapy for higher-risk food allergy
The article received some great media coverage, which you can read, listen to, and watch by clicking on the links below.
1st Annual Festivus for FAIT a success!
The FAIT program continues its groundbreaking research into real-world treatments for BC kids, and delivered these treatments to more than 200 kids across the province last year alone. Our 1st Annual Festivus on November 23, 2023 brought together over 100 members of the food allergy community including doctors, patients, and local and national businesses. The evening featured heartwarming patient stories from three FAIT families as well as an exciting research update from Dr. Chan, a lively silent auction, and live jazz. To see the event highlights, please visit our event website: www.festivusforfait.com
With the proceeds raised from our 1st Festivus event (ticket sales, sponsorships, and silent auction), we have purchased an in-house research blood testing machine called ALEX2 Image Xplorer that can detect antibodies to 300 food allergen components with just one test. We will be performing research studies with this machine in 2024!
We can't wait to see what we can accomplish together this year, and look forward to seeing you for our 2nd Annual Festivus event on November 28, 2024! -The FAIT Team
Save the Date! Festivus for FAIT
On behalf of the Food Allergy Immunotherapy (FAIT) Program at BC Children’s Hospital, we are excited to invite you to the 1st Annual Festivus for FAIT cocktail party and auction on Thursday, November 23, 2023 from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Vancouver Aquarium.
In British Columbia and beyond, the demand for food allergy treatment is increasing, and innovative solutions to expand access to treatment in a cost-effective way are needed, including delivering treatment to patients living in remote areas, and patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Our goal is to bring food allergy treatment to all families in the province who desire it, as well as share our protocols more broadly across Canada and internationally.
Festivus for FAIT 2023 promises to be an incredible evening celebrating the generosity of individuals and businesses in our community. If you would like to purchase tickets to the event, please visit: www.festivusforfait.com
For more information, click on the flyer below.
Team Allergy at the RBC Race for the Kids – June 11, 2023
On Sunday, June 11, Team Allergy ran in the RBC Race for the Kids in Vancouver. With a team of almost 50 staff, and FAIT families, we were able to raise over $12,000 to help keep the FAIT program growing.
Thank you to everyone who came out and showed their support. It was an incredible day!
Congratulations Dr. Edmond Chan!
On September 22, 2022 Dr. Edmond Chan was awarded The Donald Stark Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation.
Food Allergy Immunotherapy - Dr. Chan talks about Infant OIT
On May 16, 2022 the FAIT program hosted an event entitled, “Food Allergy Immunotherapy - Dr. Chan talks about Infant OIT.”
Dr. Edmond Chan kicked off the event by sharing some of the latest research and clinical insights on the importance of offering OIT as early as possible after food allergy diagnosis. In the second segment, Dr. Lianne Soller, FAIT Program Manager, told the story of the FAIT Program at BC Children’s Hospital: Past, Present and Future. The event wrapped up with a series of engaging questions from the audience, moderated by Lisa Buckley, a parent volunteer.
If you missed the event, you can watch it below.
Food Allergy Awareness Week
To celebrate Food Allergy Awareness Week, Dr. Chan was interviewed on CBC Radio One BC on Monday, May 9 with Michell Elliot, talking about the Food Allergy and Immunotherapy Program. Lisa Buckley, parent of a teen in the FAIT program, is also featured.
Click on the button below to listen to the interview on the CBC website.
The segment begins just after the 27-minute mark.
Latest BCCHR Updates
A safer treatment path for high-risk children to overcome food allergies
Peanut allergy treatment even safer when started within infants’ first year
New evidence from BC Children’s Hospital and University of British Columbia (UBC) researchers shows babies can safely be treated for peanut allergies.
Research Roundup: December 2021
Peanut allergy treatment significantly lowers risk of life-threatening reactions in preschoolers
Dr. Edmond S. Chan receives 2019 Robyn Allen Leadership Award
'Gold standard' food allergy test faces implementation barriers but solutions possible
New “Allergy Check” tool helps to assess the likelihood of having a food allergy
Allergy Check, a new assessment tool that guides users through the likelihood of having a food allergy with just a few clicks, has launched as an app on allergycheck.ca.
Oral immunotherapy safe for preschool-aged children with peanut allergies
New data published today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice suggests that oral immunotherapy is safe for preschool-aged children with peanut allergies.
