National FPIES Awareness Day is on May 4th, and there are plenty of simple, proactive ways that you can make a difference.
1. Go Teal and Gray
Download and display the official FPIES Awareness Ribbon (shown right) as your social media profile picture. The FPIES ribbon is a twist on the solid teal Food Allergy Awareness Ribbon. The FPIES ribbon has a touch of gray to symbolize how much is unknown about this “other” form of food allergy affecting the gastrointestinal system. You can also paint your nails teal and gray or wear those colors on May 4th AND share why you have done so.
2. Take a Pie in the Face
Want to have some fun AND spread the word about FPIES? Support the International FPIES Association by taking the Pie in the Face Challenge and sharing your video/photos using the hashtag #pieface4fpies. Need an alternative to pie? Creative FPIES families have put their own spin on the challenge by using safe whipped cream, mashed potatoes or cotton balls.
3. Educate Yourself and Others
Take some time to read up on the symptoms of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome, and choose three facts to share with your Facebook friends by posting them as a status update on May 4th. You can also download and share our educational graphics debunking common FPIES myths:
Myth #1: “It’s Just the Stomach Flu”
Myth #2: “It’s Impossible to Be Allergic to Rice”
Myth #3: “Only Young Children Can Have FPIES”
4. Donate
Donate now to the International FPIES Association (I-FPIES) and ask others to join you. Your generosity will help fund our research, education, awareness and advocacy initiatives throughout the year!
Thank YOU for making the first National FPIES Awareness Day a powerful, effective platform for spreading the word about FPIES! Your voice matters and your support impacts the lives of patients with FPIES and their families.
