Allergic reaction
[attach]2204[/attach]Living with a life-threatening allergy is not an easy task, but for 13-year-old Sophie Nisker, it has become a call to action.
Nisker was diagnosed with anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction caused by food, at only eight months.
“Me, my brother and sister all have allergies,” she said. “We’re kind of used to it. We’ve had it all our lives.”
Nisker and her siblings decided to turn this illness into a positive experience.
“I knew I wanted to do a charity project for my 13th birthday,” she said. “I wanted to make a difference in the world.”
Last year, Nisker said she and her mom
discussed a charity project to raise money for allergy research. She decided she wanted to organize a walk for allergies.
Nisker said last year’s walk was a success.
“Around 150 people came,” she said. “We raised over $45,000.”
The money she raised beat out her original goal of $7,000.
“It was nice to have support from all my family and friends,” she said.
Nisker’s second annual Walk to Axe Anaphylaxis is set for Oct. 17, which happens to be the day before her 14th birthday. Supporters will be walking in Toronto’s Cedarvale Ravine at 11 a.m. Nisker said there will be a picnic after the walk, where participants will be treated to snacks and refreshments.
The money raised from Nisker’s fundraiser will be donated to the Canadian Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Foundation to fund allergy research.
Nisker said the fundraiser is something thefamily wants to do every year.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s fun to see the turnout in the end.”
