Last week we reported on the plight of Samuel Magaseyev, the freshman University at Buffalo student who was quarantined in a dorm room for weeks after contracting COVID-19. A long-time sufferer of peanut and tree nut allergies, he pleaded with the school administration to provide meals that would accommodate his restrictions but was repeatedly given foods with nuts and unwrapped baked goods that could not be trusted.
We reached out to Samuel last week to see how he was faring. Here is his response:
Hi Dave,
Thank you so much for reaching out. I really appreciate the kind wishes! I got out of quarantine a bit ago and had to come home from school because I had lost a lot of weight (I was ~150, and got to 132 due to my lack of appetite + the lack of food in quarantine) and needed to rest. I’m doing well now and have gained back a good amount of weight – I’m feeling better every day.
Also, I’ve been allergic to peanuts & tree nuts my whole life and would like to thank you for publishing the piece on your page, it means a lot to me to know that other people can see my story and understand how severe allergies can be.
After our article was published, we were inundated with requests from well-meaning readers inquiring about ways to help Samuel. Instead, we turned to members of our Manufacturer Partnership to see what peanut and tree nut-free foods we could arrange for him.
We’re happy to say that within 48 hours, 20 companies responded they would help Samuel. Care packages are already on their way and will arrive at Samuel’s dorm in the coming days.
We wish to thank the following partners for answering our call in the very short window of time provided:
- Enjoy Life Foods
- WOWBUTTER
- That’s It! Nutrition
- Vermont Nut Free Chocolates
- Darlington Snacks
- Beyond the Equator
- Libre Naturals
- Angelic Bakehouse
- HomeFree
- Red Plate Foods
- ZEGO Foods
- SuperSeedz
- Nuttee Bean Co
- Safely Delicious
- Nadanut Snacks
- The Pink Bakery
- Daelman’s
- Josie’s Best Gluten Free
- Amore di Mona
- Amanda’s Own Confections
All offer products that are peanut and tree nut-free and are listed in the Safe Snack Guide. Please click the links above to explore their offerings, many free of other Top 8 allergens, sesame, mustard, and gluten.
Our best wishes go out to Samuel for a complete and speedy recovery and for much success in the coming years!
This update absolutely warms my allergy kid having Mama ❤️!!! I sometimes fear for my child being out in the world without our house as a safety net. Thankfully he is only 9 and we have time for the world and institutions like these to do better and catch up with the need for safe foods. Thank you for sharing this young man’s story and helping him.
I read that article the other day thinking can this student be alone. Well thanks to your efforts and the partnership he’s not! Through the partnership of good, it was solved.
Good work; maybe it will inspire other companies to get going. Thanks for sharing his story.
Its great to have some good news these days. I’m glad that companies and individuals were out there available to help.
Keep up the good work, Dave.
Wishing the best for Samuel.