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Brittany Mahomes discovered her son Bronze’s peanut allergy in one of the scariest ways, when she rushed the then-8-month-old to the hospital in August. Now, Mahomes is opening up about how food allergies are impacting their family life, including daughter Sterling and husband Patrick Mahomes, and why she’s passionate about speaking out about the cause.
“We recently found out my son Bronze has a severe peanut allergy, which led to a scary trip to the ER,” Mahomes told People recently, describing it as “one of the most terrifying days of my life.” Fortunately, she continued, “he was OK, but I’ve had to cope with this new way of living and ensure my family is safe inside the home and out.”
The family had been aware of two-year-old Sterling’s allergies said “since she was an infant,” the Kansas City Current co-owner said, adding that she’s now “hyper-aware of what food and drinks we have in our household.”
“I can relate to all moms and families out there that are dealing with children with severe food allergies,” Mahomes went on, acknowledging that “the holiday season is extremely difficult when gatherings and activities revolve around food.”
To show her support, Mahomes is partnering with plant-based nutrition brand OWYN to support the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization. Both Mahomes and the brand have pledged to match donations up to $100,000 to kick off the organization’s fundraising initiative, the “I Can” Campaign.
Through the campaign, Mahomes says, she hopes “to inspire change within the food allergy community,” adding that it’s “so special to be able to help these people and reassure them that they are not alone.”
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It’s a worthy goal, because food allergies impact more people than you might realize. “During the first year of life, up to 10 percent of all infants have been reported to have developed an allergic reaction to a food,” Dr. Ama Alexis, an infectious disease allergy and immunology physician for children, previously told SheKnows. Many children grow out of their allergy, “but peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish may persist for life.” Allergic reactions can vary widely, including hives, redness, or itchiness; swelling of the yes, ears, lips, tongue, or throat; vomiting or diarrhea; and coughing or wheezing. Alexis also explained that most reactions show up “within minutes,” but can occur up to two hours after ingesting the product.
For the Mahomes family, dealing with Bronze’s food allergy means being more aware and mindful of what the kids are eating and what products are present in the house. Mahomes said she likes OWYN for that reason, as the brand provides “clean, delicious protein shakes that I know are safe to be around our kids,” she explains. Most of all, Mahomes says, “I want Sterling and Bronze to grow up having a healthy relationship with food.” As a mom, she adds, her goal is to “ensure they feel safe and informed in case of emergency. We are learning so much.”
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