The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Foundation supplying EpiPens to restaurants
A nonprofit is providing emergency kits with EpiPens to some restaurants in Lorain County.
On May 19, several restaurant representatives met at the Erie Steak and Seafood Restaurant, 301 Lakeside Ave., to learn about the importance of keeping EpiPens in case of severe allergic reactions.
The Allison Rose Foundation is a nonprofit based in Independence that donates the kits to restaurants and public facilities in an effort to help save lives.
Michael and Rebecca Suhy founded the organization after the death of their daughter Allison.
“Their foundation was formed after the death of their daughter Allison of
a peanut allergy while attending college,” said Carolyn Sipkovsky, a Lorain Lighthouse trustee who was in attendance at the informational meeting.
“I just think it's a very noble thing they're doing,” said Sipkovsky.
ARF is dedicated to changing the lives of food allergy families through education, awareness, research and advocacy, according to its website.
The foundation's goal is to decrease deaths of children and young adults due to food allergies, the website stated.
Sipkovsky felt the Lorain Lighthouse was an excellent choice to keep the medicine on hand as it's only accessible by water vessel and it can take time to get the US Coast Guard to transport people experiencing medical crisis.
The kits will come with two EpiPens which will be replaced by the organization after use, Sipkovsky said.
“They will renew them if you use them,” she said. “We didn't realize that it would be long term. That was reassuring.”
The Dirty Donkey restaurant in Elyria is among other area restaurants receiving the kits, Sipkovsky said.
Sipkovsky, who has volunteered at the Lorain Lighthouse for several years, saw information about the organization and the kits, and decided to contact the foundation.
“I thought, ‘Whoa, that's a good idea,'” she recalled. “We're just trying to be prepared.”
The Lorain Lighthouse hosts dinners and tours from June to September.