Blue Bear Aware Blog

Store Closing We've heard that before... On December 31, 2018, the storefront for  bluebearaware.com  will be shut down. As the owner of this amazing online retailer, I can assure you that this is a genuine closing. Further, I do not have any intention of selling the business. On the contrary, I plan to keep Blue Bear alive. YES! We'll still be here. Just not selling products for the foreseeable future. What can you expect to see in the future? I love bringing smiles to people's faces. I love knowing that I have made someone feel important. To let them know that I see them and they matter. I have a big a-s, bleeding heart. I know it. I own it. I want to save the world, one person at a time. I've been a crisis counselor. I've worked with the women's shelter. In our food allergic community, I started as a support group leader. To say that those experiences were rewarding is absolutely an understatement, but my life has changed since then. I have so ...

It is now just before midnight on a Saturday night and I am wide awake. I'd like to say that I'm channeling my more lighthearted side before children and partying the night away. But I'm not. No. Instead I am about to embark on another all nighter to monitor my son, Aiden. Tonight he went for a walk with his Nana (grandma) and his sister and no sooner reached the entrance to the park when he mysteriously tossed his cookies. The way you hear Nana describe it, he emptied his insides out to the point where she almost caught the cookie tossing bug. He's six years old so you may be thinking 'So What. Kids barf all the time.' Yep. However, in Aiden's case, throwing up is often the first thing he does when having a reaction to food. Experts tell us that reactions can vary every time and I do believe them. Yet, with Aiden we have seen vomiting almost every single time. He is also one of those few have had biphasic reactions even as late as a day and half later. ( ...

BlueBearAware.com. This food allergy focused resource has changed owners a few times now but in spite of its many lives, it has remained a popular site for clothing and accessories to help protect food allergic children. There are now several similar resources available but Blue Bear has been around for quite a while now. As a mother of a child with multiple, life threatening food allergies, I came to know and love Blue Bear several years ago. I've loved it every since. For the past 5 years, I met and befriended many of the familiar names in the food allergy community. I am proud and grateful to consider many of them friends. Passionate and intelligent people who have dedicated much of their lives to helping those of us dealing with or caring for someone with life threatening food allergies. These people are incredible. They aren't out there for the money. They aren't out there for prestige and fame. They do what they do to save lives. They are out there to help us. My wo...

1 Speak to your child's Teacher and School Administration before school starts to discuss medication, Dr's notes, school policy and emergency plan. 2 Clearly label medications and complete school paperwork with your child's photo, name and instructions. Make sure these items are accessible at all times and all staff is aware as to where they are stored. 3 Remind you child not to share any food or drinks with class-mates. 4 Ensure your child carries their medications with them at all times- in the classroom, on the playground, on field trips, or sport events. 5 Your child is the best advocate about his or her allergies; listen, encourage and support them as they teach the children in their classroom about allergies.

Anaphylaxis Canada’s Ask the Allergist series of information sessions about food allergies and anaphylaxis is coming to.... •Vancouver, BC - Saturday, March 31, 2012 •Barrie, ON - Wednesday, May 9, 2012 •Toronto, ON - Thursday, May 24, 2012 •Ottawa, ON - tba •Hamilton, ON - tba Living with food allergies can be challenging, but with the right information and resources, it can be effectively managed. Anaphylaxis Canada is inviting you to join allergist Dr. Edmond Chan, Laura Bantock, Director, Anaphylaxis Canada Western Region, and a representative from Health Canada for an interactive discussion about the common misperceptions of food allergies and ways to develop effective management strategies. The session will not provide specific medical advice or recommendations. For more inforamtion check out- http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/en/media/events.html

Dear Kids & Allergies Readers, May is Allergy Awareness Month and during the month of May, receive 15% off your order of allergy gear at Blue Bear Aware. Place the code beatallergies in the coupon box at the check-out page to receive 15% off, min order $45.00. Thank you for visiting Blue Bear Aware and your continued support to the allergy community" (valid until May 31st 2011).

Anaphylaxis Motion M-546 will be debated in the House of Commons - TODAY- Monday March 21st at 11am. Watch live on www.cpac.ca The Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI), is an advocacy effort marshalled by a volunteer group of families from anaphylaxis support associations in communities across Canada. The CAI’s mission is to prompt the federal government to develop a strategic plan to decrease the risks for Canadians living with anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening allergies) and to educate the public. About the Debate MP Dean Allison and other speakers for the hour debate are identified and all are favourable to the motion. It is intended with the House exchange that useful facts and information can be put on record. Monday's Hansard transcript will be used to prompt further Parliamentary activities that support Canadian individuals and families living with anaphylaxis.

Today, Anaphylaxis Canada announced the launch of their Why Risk It? Teen Video Series . This project is one of the key initiatives undertaken by the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) which is made up of 23 teens and young adults from across Canada, ranging in age from 15 to 23 years. This group is responsible for providing input and direction on the youth program, which is geared towards offering resources and support to the most at-risk group for anaphylaxis: pre-teens, teens, and young adults. The Teen Video Series is a collection of five short clips dealing with common social situations faced by teens: Dating with Food Allergies Food Allergies and High School Dining Out with Food Allergies Eating Safely with Food Allergies Travelling with Food Allergies These videos serve as a dynamic resource for the community, including students, families, friends and educators and can be found at the youth website http://www.whyriskit.ca/pages/en/home.php and YouTube. Please feel free to share this ...

There is still time to submit an entry for the Colouring Contest. Thank you to all of those children who have submitted their artwork- they are wonderful!! Children, aged 12 and under, are invited to colour and embellish an image of Blue Bear! Contact Elizabeth at info AT bluebearaware.com for an entry form or for more info. Two prizes will be awareded: 1 Creativity and Presentation 2 Allergy Awareness Good Luck!

Toronto, May 2010 - Anaphylaxis Canada applauds Parliament's motion recognizing Food Allergy Awareness Month and will be commemorating the occasion by promoting a number of initiatives intended to support the 1.3 million Canadians who live with food allergies. This is the first year such a month has been designated in Canada and will now be a permanently recognized occasion. Several other countries including the US, UK, Italy, New Zealand and Australia have similar declarations. "The declaration of Food Allergy Awareness Month is a significant step in the ongoing effort to educate the public about food allergies," said Laurie Harada, Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and herself the mother of a teenager with multiple food allergies. "We are thrilled that all political parties united to support this motion." Food allergy is a growing public health issue in Canada. More than fifty percent of Canadians know someone with a food allergy. While al...

It was a real pleasure to meet many Blue Bear Aware customers at Anaphylaxis Canada's Spring Conference; Food for thought: translating food allergy research into practice . It was a great conference with many exciting speakers and insightful presentations. A few, of the many, highlights were listening to Presenters speak on.... Update on Peanut Allergy Research, Food labeling in Canada, Anaphylaxis management in Schools and Community. In addition there were many exhibitors offering great resources for families with Food Allergies; Allergy Sense an extensive Food Allergy Resource and Directory for articleds on recipes, allergy tips and promotions, AllerDine a resource for local restaurants and how they handle food allergies, Nutrition for you Condition innovative items for dining and travel, The Chef Upstairs a private dining and cooking studio hosting kids with food allergies in the kitchen- summer camps available! And Thanks for the great Toronto hospitality!

Anaphylaxis Canada's Spring Conference Blue Bear Aware is excited to be attending Anaphylaxis Canada's Spring Conference; Food for thought: translating food allergy research into practice. Anaphylaxis Canada will be holding its 3rd annual community conference in Toronto on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at the Ontario Science Centre. Conference brochure: http://www.anaphylaxis.org/pdf/SpringCon2010.pdf Conference on-line registration: http://acconference.eventbrite.com/ _______________________________________________ AAIA Sponsored Activities - Triple A Run/Walk 2010: http://www.aaia.ca/en/activities.htm Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario • May 1, 2010 Heydenshore Pavilion, Whitby, Ontario • May 15, 2010 Assumption Park, Windsor, Ontario • May 29, 2010 City Park, Kelowna, British Columbia • May 16, 2010 DeWolfe Park, Bedford, Nova Scotia • May 30, 2010

A big Thank you to all the boys and girls (and their Mom's), that continue to send us photos and artwork of Blue Bear Aware - we love receiving them! Today until February 14th, 2010 receive 14% off your order * ! Place the code 'VLTS10' in the coupon box on the check-out page. * sale items are not applicable to discount. This promotion cannot be applied to previous orders or used with another promotion.This is a Blue Bear Aware credit and is not redeemable for cash. Spend a minimum $45.00 to receive 14% off . Sale ends February 14th, 2010.

Blue Bear Aware received the following letter from Pam, Associate Editor, Allergic Living and BC Anaphylaxis Advocate 'I am writing to you for your support. In the December issue of Chatelaine, writer Patricia Pearson's article, 'It's Just Nuts' offers up a distorted view of the kids with food allergies in our schools. You can read the article at the following link: http://en.chatelaine.com/english/weekend/article.jsp?content=20091001_150000_0023 Please e-mail me back if you want to have your signature added to the following letter, which we are sending to Chatelaine magazine and asking their editors to publish. I need your name, city/town/prov, and e-mail - the latter for verification only from Chatelaine's fact-checker. e.g. NOT for publication. pamela2543@shaw.ca I need these soonest. It will then be sent to Chatelaine on behalf of all of us. Please pass this letter on to your network of friends and family so they can add their voices. T...

Many of our children do not get to enjoy the traditional trick-o-treating at Halloween due to their allergies. For those that are fortunate to do so, alert your neighbours to your Princess' or Goblin's needs . Attach an allergy alert badge or label to their Halloween costume or loot bag to raise awareness. A Halloween Fruit Snack alternative- Blue Bear Aware offers a great selection of natural and organic fruit snacks that are made in a nut-free facility and are packed full of healthy, allergen free ingredients. Spend a minimum of $45.00 at Blue Bear Aware until Oct 16th and save 15% on your order, plus receive a trick-or-treat* for your youngster! Place the code HLWN9 in the coupon box at the check-out and Save. *Non-edible trick-or-treat! This promotion cannot be applied to previous orders or used with another promotion. This is a Blue Bear Aware credit and is not redeemable for cash. Spend a minimum $45.00 to receive 15% off. Offer valid until Oct...

AAIA Ontario Knowledge For Living Conference Location: Bethany Community Church Kingston, Ontario Time: 8:00AM Saturday, October 3rd AAIAOntario@aaia.ca AAFA-MI Fall 2009 Annual Internet Aunction Begins October 1 and ends October 23rd www.aafamich.cmarket.com

What is the Canadian Anaphylaxis Registry? The Registry is an information service, provided by Anaphylaxis Canada, for people who are allergic to food, insect stings, medication, latex, or exercise. It may also be of benefit to people who are intolerant or sensitive to foods. How does the Registry work? You provide information about your or your loved one's allergies. You choose which information you want to receive, such as: Updates on food labelling and product alerts Latest research findings Tips for staying safe School related issues Others who have an interest in anaphylaxis can also sign up for this information service, such as schools, camps, media, and medical professionals. Visit the site for more details: http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/content/difference/join_registry.asp

A great new web-site for teens. Where you can learn how to manage risks in difficult situations, like dating or dining out, and see how other teens manage their allergies. If you have had an allergic reaction or have been in a tricky situation, you can use this site to share your experiences and help others avoid similar risks with their allergies. Check it out at Why Risk It .

I had the opportunity to attend the Anaphylaxis Canada Conference in Edmonton, Alberta! It was a great Conference, with many diverse speakers, resources and exhibitors to checkout. On behalf of Blue Bear Aware, I want to Thank all the delegates who dropped by our exhibit to share their stories and view our product. Being an on-line store, that component of our business we truly miss- chatting with our customers. This was also my first visit to Edmonton, so I had an opportunity to tour the city on Sunday. It is beautiful town and I loved the river meandering though the city, I just couldn't get over the flatness! (Being a West Coast gal!) Thanks again to all the families that visited Blue Bear Aware this week-end.

Blue Bear Aware is excited to attend Anaphylaxis Canada's Conference in Edmonton. "Anaphylaxis in the Community: Balancing Risk with Expectations", will be held at the Grant MacEwan College, City Centre Campus, April 4th. For more info check out www.anaphylaxis.ca .