Parents Launch Food Allergy Advocacy in Memory of Their Daughter

Allison Rose Suhy was a toddler when she broke out in a rash. After a visit to the pediatrician, her parents learned she had a peanut allergy.

Under the care of her parents, Allison flourished, learning how to read labels and take action when she showed signs of reacting. Like her father, Michael, says:

You’re in that safety net of your community growing up. Your neighbors know, teachers know, coaches know, your family knows but eventually you leave that and that’s where I think a strong education is necessary.

Allison attended Ohio University where she was studying to be a teacher. Last November, she spent the weekend with her father and headed back to school. “I kissed her goodbye and didn’t know it would be the last time I’d talk to her,” he said.

Allison apparently took a bite of a donut that contained nuts and suffered an anaphylactic reaction that caused her airway to close. She was rushed to a local hospital, then airlifted to Columbus where she died four days later.

Allison’s family were determined that no other family would suffer the pain and grief they were feeling. They founded the Allison Rose Foundation to teach others about the dangers of food allergies.

“We want to develop an educational program that will teach people about nut allergies, whether you have it or not, because everybody knows somebody with a nut allergy,” Michael said.

Here is Allison’s story from a news report by WFMY-TV Ohio:

The Allison Rose Foundation (ARF) is dedicated to changing the lives of food allergy families through education, awareness, research and advocacy. The website stat

The Allison Rose Foundation, a 501(c)3, was formed to prevent other families from experiencing the tragedy and untimely food allergy death of a child or young adult.

As food allergy children evolve through their stages of life, their supporting communities change making food allergy education crucial. Severe food allergies continue to be misunderstood. If proper education is put in place from a young age, food allergy sufferers, their support systems, and the general population, will be properly informed and prepared to understand, recognize and effectively manage a severe food allergy and life threatening reaction.

Dedicated to changing the lives of food allergy families through education, awareness, research and advocacy, the Allison Rose Foundation strives to arm families with a comprehensive food allergy support system, and ultimately, a cure.

To learn more about ARF and support their efforts, visit their website at: www.allisonrosefoundation.org.