A special Severe Food Allergy Akate is being held at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre on Saturday, February 23rd.
Tanya Gesslein is organizing the fun skate that runs from 2:45 to 3:45. Her 10 year old son, Isaiah, has a severe peanut allergy, but is using a "peanut patch", which is a trial program that the BC Children's Hospital is running.
"Essentially what it is is a patch that he wears on his back, and it gives him a tiny little bit of peanut through the skin. And it's building his tolerance up, so hopefully it's going to help him, well we're hoping it's going to help him get over his peanut allergy."
The Victoria Grizzlies will also be joining in on the skate, with players on the ice, hanging out with the kids. Two local allergists, Dr Cook and Dr Campbell, will also be in attendance, raising awareness and hosting a Q&A on Oral Immunotherapy, which Gesslein says is a type of allergy treatement similar to the patch.
"it essentially gives a little bit on the allergen over time to build up the tolerance."
She says everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy a skate for a good cause. There will be the regular entry and skate rental charges, and Gessline will also be raising money, from a 50-50 draw and raffle prizes, that will go towards the Oral Immunotherapy Research Program at the BC Children's Hospital.