A bill named “Dillon’s Law” was introduced in both chambers of Congress this week. The legislation encourages states to train and certify individuals to carry and administer epinephrine auto-injectors to anyone suffering an allergic reaction.
The bill was inspired by Dillon Mueller who passed away on October 4, 2014 at the age of 18, a week after he had been stung by a bee and suffered anaphylactic shock. He had never been diagnosed with an allergy and so was never prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, which could have potentially saved his life.
“He did not know what was happening and within 10 minutes he was unconscious,” said Angel Mueller, Dillon’s mother. “He would still be alive today had there been an EpiPen available.”
Said Senator Mike Braun, one of the sponsors of the bill:
Dillon’s Law is a piece of common sense legislation that can prevent hundreds of tragic and avoidable deaths every year. Training people on how to provide lifesaving care and gu
aranteeing that good Samaritans are protected from the threat of civil litigation is vital. Legislation like this has worked in Indiana, and I believe it can work on a national level as well.
Said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA):
We’d like to thank Senator Braun for introducing Dillon’s Law in the Senate. Some people don’t learn they have life-threatening anaphylaxis until they first experience a severe allergic reaction. In those cases, immediate access to epinephrine can save their life. This legislation will create incentives for people to receive training on recognizing a life-threatening anaphylaxis episode, administering life-saving epinephrine, and being free from legal liability as a good Samaritan. The passage of this law means a trained bystander can help save someone’s life who is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.
Dillon’s parents, Angel and George Mueller, have worked tirelessly since his passing to enact Dillon’s Law at both the state and national levels.
They issued the following statement:
We are humbled that Senator Braun is listening to our family’s story and grateful for his willingness to act positively on this bill. By doing so, we can and will save lives. Our son, Dillon, couldn’t be saved because the measures proposed in this bill weren’t in place at the time he died from a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), to a bee sting. The prevalence of anaphylaxis is increasing exponentially in the U.S. and by passing this bill, we can dramatically increase the odds that people will survive. We don’t want anyone to suffer the tragedy we did, especially when steps can be taken to save lives. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has sponsored, endorsed, and supported our efforts to pass Dillon’s Law nationwide and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for moving this forward.
The legislation is endorsed by the AAFA, Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, and the Dillon Mueller Memorial Fund.
