If anyone was going to be the most aware of what food allergies exist, it would be the parent of a child that has them.
When Robyn O’Brien’s fourth child was diagnosed with food allergies that sent her on a track that she wasn’t about to be shaken off of. Launching AllergyKids on Mothers Day of 2006, Robyn created one of the most recognizable symbols for Allergy Awareness that’s available. That green stop sign with the black exclamation point inside it lets us know when a person has specific food allergies we should be aware of, and we can thank Robyn for setting it in motion.
What was your inspiration for AllergyKids?
When my fourth child was diagnosed with food allergies two years ago, I was thrown into the world of food allergies and autoimmune disorders given that we had no family history of the condition. As I began researching, I learned that food allergies affect approximately 20% of children today and grew alarmed that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and carton of milk was suddenly seen as a loaded weapon on a lunchroom table (given that we all grew up on it!). I felt that there needed to bea universal symbol, a pink ribbon, for food allergies, so I designed our bright green octagon – and placed it on simple little kid products (stickers, lunch boxes, etc.) to make it easier to identify these children at school, in the nursery or a birthday party.
What are some of the goals you have for your business?
Our goal is to find a cure for food allergies and prevent the continuing epidemic by providing parents with important information about ways to protect the health and well being of their families – from pre-pregnancy nutrition tips and beyond!
Have you learned anything since you launched that you wish you’d known before you started?
Things are not always what they seem! And you ARE going to encounter resistance, so be brave, tough and strong (our kids need you!). And…….A non-profit that is funded by Big Pharma and Big Food may not have the interests of children first!
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