Family finds a cause in loss of a son to allergy
A father whose son died from a severe allergic reaction was joined by his Macquarie Bank colleagues to fund important research into the condition at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.
Thirteen year old Nathan Francis passed away in March following an anaphylactic reaction. Nathan was allergic to peanuts which causes the majority of severe food allergy reactions in childhood. Anaphylaxis is the most sudden and severe form of immediate allergic reaction that can be fatal if not quickly identified and treated. The rates of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have trebled in the past five years.
Staff at Macquarie Bank pulled together to support Nathan's father, Brian Francis (pictured), who requested that instead of flowers for the funeral, his colleagues should help researchers find a cure for this terrible condition. The Macquarie Bank Foundation matched staff fundraising efforts, helping to raise $57,000 to support vital research into food allergy and anaphylaxis.
"Anaphylaxis can have tragic consequences," said A/Professor Mimi Tang who leads research into allergy and immune disorders. "By monitoring children who experience this type of allergic reaction we hope to eventually reduce the number of children at risk."
Click here to read more about Mimi Tang’s research into allergy and anaphylaxis in a recent My Child story.