Chloe Bagwell, a freshman Criminal Justice major from Clarksville, has been able to pass a bill regarding food allergy awareness in Tennessee.
She has battled food allergies her entire life as well as the constant misunderstanding food allergies bring to those who do not suffer from them. “Speaking from personal experience, food allergies can be an
extremely misunderstood medical condition. Most people believe that if someone with a food allergy were to eat something they were allergic to, only sneezing or congestion would occur. But in reality, if I were to simply touch a peanut, my life would be turned upside down in a matter of seconds,” Bagwell stated in an interview.
According to the Food Allergy Research & Education Center (FAREC), about 32 million Americans suffer from the effects of food allergies. These allergies affect 1 in 10 of adults. Around 200,000 Americans require emergency medical care due to being exposed to foods they’re allergic to.
This year, Bagwell worked with Tennessee elected officials to pass the Food Allergy Awareness Week bill, which was signed by Governor Bill Lee last week. This bill will declare Food Allergy Awareness Week, which will help educate restaurants, schools and the citizens of Tennessee on the serious nature of food allergies.
“This is just one small step the state of Tennessee is taking to not only
improve the quality of life for many individuals but to one day find a cure for food allergies”, Bagwell concluded.
Food Allergy Awareness Week will take place May 9-15 of this year.
Photo Credit / Chloe Bagwell
