Saving lives
EpiPens ease symptoms of anaphylaxis
Ross MacLeod takes two EpiPens with him everywhere he goes.
While the 16-year-old was on a student service trip in Ecuador last year, he accidently ingested one of his allergens – cashews. His reaction to the nuts left him unconscious and he said medics needed more that two EpiPens to stabilize him.
An EpiPen is a form of medication used in emergency situations to ease anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening reaction to an allergen that can appear within minutes of exposure. Someone who is suffering from this may experience itchiness, shortness of breath, swelling, dry throat and lightheadedness.
While MacLeod had known about his allergy since the age of seven, this was the first time he experienced a reaction so severe.
“I know now from that how dangerous it is … you have to get right to the hospital,” said the Pictou teen.
Once an injection is administered, people experiencing anaphylaxis should seek medical attention.
Last year, Rod McNeil was working on a fishing boat catching lobster. As a lover of seafood, it was a regular thing for the Lismore resident to grab a bite of lobster before heading home after work.
One day after getting off the boat, he grabbed a bit of lobster for lunch and when he got home, he took a nap. A few hours later, he woke up to find his face completely swollen and itchy.
“It wasn’t even me looking at me,” he said.
Thankfully, McNeil said he knew where there were EpiPens in the area and got there as soon as possible.
Like MacLeod, he thought one injection would make the problem go away. “What I didn’t know at the time was that EpiPens only give you about 20 extra minutes,” he said.
McNeil told his story at a Karen Lynn MacDonald Allergy Awareness Society concert earlier this summer. The organization played a key role in his ability to handle the allergic reaction and get help quickly by supplying the EpiPen that he used.
Karen Lynn MacDonald of Ardness passed away 12 years ago after accidentally ingesting a small amount of peanut oil. In the years since, her friends and family have been working hard to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
The main focus of the society is to supply EpiPens for anyone who needs help getting one. Whether because of financial reasons or sudden unexpected reactions where the individual may not have ever expected to use one, the society works to make the medication available wherever it may be needed.
The society’s supply reaches three counties — Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough — placing pens in schools, firehalls, parks, camps and any other relevant locations. Both adult and child doses are given to every location.
The society also distributes forms for patients who can’t afford a pen to local doctors’ offices. The bill is then sent to the organization to pay.
Society president Joan MacDonald said through both of these programs about 100 pens are distributed each year. At $100 a pen, this costs an average of $10,000 annually, and most of the funds are generated through donations and monthly concerts.
Inspired by Karen’s love of music, the fundraising concerts feature local talent and sometimes guest speakers will share their experiences with allergies and anaphylaxis.
The next concert takes place place this Friday at Lismore Community Centre. Admission is $5 and the concert is set to start at 7:30 p.m., with door prizes and a 50/50 draw. Featured guests include Brian MacDonald and Family, Tye Wallace and Shirley Payne.