The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the control and cure of asthma and allergies. We help people live active, healthy lives with asthma and allergies, including food allergies. AAFA New England was founded in 1979 to control and prevent asthma and allergic conditions through patient education, public awareness and support for research. Our work is more needed today than ever before. New England has one of the highest asthma rates in the country affecting one in every 9 people and one in every 5 has allergies. Approximately 3% of the population is susceptible to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic shock reaction to foods, medications, latex and insect stings. There has been a frightening 18% increase in food allergies in children in the last decade; up to 8% of U.S. children live with life-threatening food allergies.