Bridget Yard is one of 15 members of a youth advisory council who are sharing their experiences with anaphylactic allergies on the new website, www.whyriskit.ca, which launched last week.
The site, a brainchild of Anaphylaxis Canada, targets teens, preteens and young adults, providing them with information and resources to help them cope with potentially fatal allergies.
The website is packed with tips for teens at risk, including an online magazine, podcasts and a reaction registry that will allow teens to document and share their experiences.
Kyle Dine, program co-ordinator for Anaphylaxis Canada, says the causes are at least twofold. With independence comes the increased likelihood for exposure to allergens, through new restaurants and relationships and experiences.
He hopes whyriskit.ca will inform and educate young people about the risky situations — such as parties, where drinks may be shared, or kissing — they are likely to find themselves in.
At risk
Although 1.5 million Canadians are at risk for anaphylactic reactions, the numbers are disproportionately high for young people, with more than 268,000 between the ages of 10 and 25.
