Food Allergy Immunotherapy (FAIT) Program News

What is food allergen immunotherapy and how has it advanced over the past 5 years?

Food allergen immunotherapy webinarWatch 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.

Watch now

New research from the FAIT program finds that SLIT is safe and effective

Dr. Edmond Chan interview on CTV AM LiveNew 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.

UBC press release

Mar 4 (12:30pm), CKNW Radio

Mar 5 (7:40am), CTV AM Live

Mar 6 (8:10am), Global TV

Mar 7 (9:00am), Medscape

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.

Festivus for FAIT flyer

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!

Team Allergy  Team Allergy

Team Allergy  Team Allergy

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.

Read more

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.

Listen now

The segment begins just after the 27-minute mark.

 

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