News Detail
It’s Life and Death: Canadian Actress Speaks
Out About Living with Severe Allergies
Lauren Collins Speaks to Frankland Community School Students about the Vital Importance of Allergy Awareness
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008
TORONTO, Ontario, September 30, 2008 - Canadian actress and Gemini award-nominee Lauren Collins has tackled some tough topics playing her Degrassi: The Next Generation character Paige Michalchuk, but her most challenging real-life role is that of a young Canadian living with a severe, life-threatening allergy. Collins will be visiting students at Frankland Community School in Toronto (816 Logan Avenue) on September 30 at 10:45 a.m. to discuss how important it is for kids with severe allergies to talk about their condition, for others to be aware and sensitive to their friends with allergies, and for children with anaphylaxis to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector..
At age four, Collins was diagnosed with her allergy after
ingesting peanut butter at her daycare. A few seconds after
tasting it, Collins broke out in hives and felt her throat
closing. She was rushed to emergency where doctors diagnosed
her allergy. Since then, Collins carries an auto-injector
with her at all times and is very vigilant around foods.
The actress has teamed with King Pharmaceuticals Canada to
share her story and to encourage other young people to do
the same – and to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
An injection of epinephrine is the recommended first line of
treatment for someone experiencing a severe reaction, which
can be fatal in minutes if left untreated.
“I know it can be tough living with a severe food allergy
when you’re young. I remember being chased around a
classroom by a bully with a peanut butter cookie when I was
younger. It hurt at first, but as I got older I realized
that making others aware of my food allergies could save my
life,” said Collins. “As kids begin another school year,
it’s really important for me to get the word out that food
allergies are nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“Now my EpiPen is my security blanket and I never leave my
home without it,” said Collins. “I’ve found that taking it
everywhere made it easier to remember. My EpiPen also serves
as a constant reminder to read labels and ask questions and
be very vocal about my allergy wherever I am – at school,
out with my friend, or even on the set.”
Research shows that young people face increased challenges
in dealing with serious allergies due to a perceived stigma
over the condition. Wanting to fit in with their peers,
teens say they often ignore the risks associated with
certain foods and are uncomfortable discussing the condition
with their friends. A recent survey by the Food Allergy and
Anaphylaxis Network revealed that 54 per cent of teens
polled admitted to eating potentially unsafe food despite
possible life-threatening consequences.
“Adolescence is a time when young people spend more time without parental supervision,” said Mary Allen, Chief Executive Officer of the Allergy/Asthma Information Association. “As preteens and teens explore their independence and struggle to fit in, they may take some additional risks. This is why it is vital to create a supportive environment where their peers know about their severe allergies and how to help them in an emergency.”
About Lauren Collins
Canadian actor Lauren Collins began her career at the age of
11 in an ABC movie of the week and is best known to
international television audiences as Paige Michalchuk on
Degrassi:The Next Generation, the latest incarnation of the
highly successful Degrassi franchise now in its eighth
season. She also has a recurring role on the popular teen
comedy Life With Derek which airs in the US on Disney and on
The Family Channel in Canada. Lauren made her feature film
debut in Newline Cinema's Take the Lead which stars Antonio
Banderas. This year she co-starred with High School
Musical's Ashley Tisdale in Picture This, and was also seen
in the MGM coming-of-age feature film Charlie Bartlett,
starring Robert Downey Jr. Lauren's performance in the high
school drama,
renegadepress.com garnered her a Gemini nomination.
About EpiPen®
Further information can be found at
EpiPen.ca
along with a Severe Allergy Risk Test to determine your risk
of anaphylaxis.
About King Pharmaceuticals
King, with offices in Mississauga, Ontario and headquartered
in Bristol, Tennessee, is a vertically integrated branded
pharmaceutical company. King, an S&P 500 Index company,
seeks to capitalize on opportunities in the pharmaceutical
industry through the development, including through
in-licensing arrangements and acquisitions, of novel branded
prescription pharmaceutical products in attractive markets
and the strategic acquisition of branded products that can
benefit from focused promotion and marketing and product
life-cycle management.
- 30 -
Collins will be available for interviews before and after
her discussion with students at Frankland Community School
(816 Logan Avenue) on September 30. Event starts promptly at
10:45am. She will also be available to speak with members of
the media on October 1 on the set of Degrassi: The Next
Generation.
# # #
To book an interview with Lauren Collins on September 30 or October 1, please contact:
Saskia Brussaard
416- 422-7176
Saskia.Brussaard@porternovelli.com
Caroline Nybo
416-422-7187
Caroline.Nybo@porternovelli.com