DOYLESTOWN, Pa., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Kids With Food Allergies Foundation (KFA) today announced plans for a charity Game-A-Thon and the Faces of Food Allergies Campaign in honor of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, which includes Food Allergy Awareness Week from May 8-14. Both events will extend throughout the month of May, and are sponsored by Nutricia North America.

KFA's Game-A-Thon fundraiser will be hosted through Playtogive, a website providing non-profit organizations with a fundraising platform that combinescommunity, friendly competition, and fun into an online game contest. Just like a fundraising event such as a walk-a-thon, kids raise money by registering for the event, then asking family and friends to support their game play for a good cause by making a donation of any dollar amount.

Funds will be used to further KFA's mission to improve the day-to-day lives of families raising children with food allergies by expanding its peer support program, food allergy education, and support of food allergy research.

Food allergy is a potentially serious immune response to eating specific foods, most commonly milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. The incidence of food allergy increased 18 percent between 1997 and 2007, with 3 million children affected.  Today, one in 25 children has food allergies – the equivalent of one in every classroom.

"Despite the prevalence of food allergy, there remains a lack of awareness, and limited emotional and social support for families," said Lynda Mitchell, president and founder of KFA. "Our Game-A-Thon aims to address these issues by allowing our supporters to come together and connect online for friendly competition and fundraising. In doing so, they will raise the funds needed to fulfill our mission to empower families to create a safe and healthy future for their children. 

Families or children over age 13 can sign up for the KFA Game-A-Thon by joining the online event at http://www.playtogive.com/event-home.cfm?event_id=71. Once the minimum contribution of $10 is reached, players will have access to four online games suitable for children as young as age five, and adults alike. As players continue to fundraise, games can be played as often as desired. Players compete against friends, family or other members of the KFA event. The Game-A-Thon will run throughout the month of May, with prizes awarded by KFA for the highest game scores, as well as for several levels of fundraising.

KFA is also inviting families participate in its annual  Faces of Food Allergies photosharing campaign, highlighting the many faces of food allergy in a slide show style public service announcement. The campaign is among the most popular events hosted by KFA each year, both for generating public awareness, and for giving children the opportunity to see that they are not alone in having food allergies. Participation is free, and families can sign up at: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/food_allergy_awareness_week.html.

For more information on these events, call 215.230.5394 or visit Kids With Food Allergies Foundation at http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org.

About Kids With Food Allergies Foundation

Founded in 2005 as a charity, KFA is a national organization of 24,000 individuals, families and businesses working together to improve the quality of life for children with food allergies and their families. KFA focuses on day-to-day support for families, including emotional and social support; personalized food/cooking assistance; and family activities. Its interactive website provides a powerhouse of resources, including the nation's largest online support community for families; quality education materials edited by a multidisciplinary medical advisory team; and an online collection of more than 1,000 "allergy-friendly" recipes. The recent, unprecedented rise in food allergies has spurred the organization's rapid growth. To find out more, go to: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org .

Media Contact: Lynda Mitchell Kids With Food Allergies Foundation, 215-230-5394, lmitchell@kidswithfoodallergies.org

SOURCE Kids With Food Allergies Foundation

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