Mylan enlists actress Parker for help with allergy program
CANONSBURG – Mylan N.V. is enlisting the help of actress Sarah Jessica Parker to promote a national movement about the serious and unpredictable nature of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
On Wednesday, Mylan, a global pharmaceutical company whose administrative headquarters are in Southpointe, launched an initiative called Anaphylaxis: For ReelT.
Through the initiative, Mylan, Parker and leading advocacy organizations, aim to inspire greater understanding about the risks of anaphylaxis.
According to a news release, Mylan’s ReelT program encourages young filmmakers and their families to make their voices heard by creating and submitting short, educational films about the realities of managing severe allergies.
Parker, whose son has allergies to peanuts and hazelnuts, is joining the initiative to share her story and personal connection to the life-threatening health condition that affects families nationwide.
“With Anaphylaxis: For ReelT, I hope to help empower other families affected by severe allergies to share their personal stories,” Parker said in a statement. “Like every family, we have our own story. We learned about our son’s food allergies only after he experienced anaphylaxis – and I still vividly remember how scary that day was for all of us. Since then, we’ve come to understand just how serious the risks of anaphylaxis are – and how crucial it is to take proactive steps to manage his severe allergies.”
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that has many possible triggers, occurs quickly without warning and must be treated immediately with epinephrine.
Symptoms can include hives, itching, swelling or redness of the skin, tightness in the throat, nausea, dizziness, breathing problems, a decrease in blood pressure and fainting. The condition can be caused by food, stinging and biting insects, medicines, latex or even exercise.
It is a significant health issue in the United States, with about 43 million people at risk, including children affected by food allergies, estimated at one in 13.
“Anaphylaxis is very unpredictable – symptoms can vary from person to person, and reactions can be mild one time and life-threatening the next,” said Dr. Hemant Sharma, clinical chief of the division of allergy and immunology at Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C., who is also a spokesperson for the Mylan initiative.
A panel, including Sharma and leading advocacy organization members, will select up to five films to be featured at a premiere event in New York City this fall with Parker and posted on Anaphylaxis101.com. Films can be submitted on Anaphylaxis101.com through July 11.
Advocacy groups involved with the initiative include the Allergy & Asthma Network, American Latex Allergy Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team, Food Allergy Research & Education and Kids with Food Allergies.
For more information about Anaphylaxis: For ReelT and for complete rules, visit Anaphylaxis101.com.