BJ’s Story
In the summer of 2008, the Hom Family had just arrived at a resort in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico. The vacation was a celebration in honor of Brian Hom II (BJ) turning 18 and his graduation from Evergreen Valley High School. The family landed in Mexico and went to dinner at the resort.
After dinner, while the family strolled through the hotel lobby, BJ looked at his father and said, “Dad, my throat hurts; can you buy me some cough drops?” Within minutes, BJ collapsed to the floor. His lips were blue and his face pale. A doctor and paramedics quickly arrived on the scene and performed CPR and administered oxygen, but they were unable to revive him. BJ died of anaphylactic shock. He had unknowingly eaten a dessert that contained trace amounts of peanuts, a food to which he was allergic.
As many as 15 million Americans have a food allergy of which 6 million are children and reactions can be severe or fatal. Every 3 minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency department – that is about 300,000 emergency department visits per year, and every 6 minutes the reaction is one of anaphylaxis.
The Bay Area Walk/Run in memory of BJ Hom will raise necessary funds to educate people about food allergies, advocate for better labeling and handling of food, and support the research necessary to find a cure.
About the Bay Area Walk/Run in Memory of BJ Hom
- Saturday, October 13, 2012
- Lake Cunningham Cypress Pavilion in San Jose, CA.
- 3 mile Walk/Run, entertainment, fun activities
- Free event, tax deductible donations are accepted
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Register or donate today:
http://www.foodallergywalk.org/site/TR/2012Walks/2012Walks?fr_id=2236&pg=entry
