The launch of the BeatAnaphylaxis film at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
We got involved with the BeatAnaphylaxis project led by Dr Andrew Bright last year & Ellen’s Gift of Hope made a community donation to help make short films that would highlight the importance of The 3 A’s….Allergies, Asthma & Anaphylaxis.
Today, Friday 31st March 2023, a powerful new film was released to help raise awareness of the devastating impact of anaphylaxis. The film, developed by BeatAnaphylaxis and the North East and North Cumbria Child Health and Wellbeing Network features Delyth and Graham Raffell who speak movingly about their daughter Ellen’s tragic death from anaphylaxis in 2019.
Ellen, who also had asthma, was just 16 years old when she died after she suffered an allergic reaction to snacks she had eaten – unaware she was allergic to one of the ingredients. Although Ellen had allergies, she and her parents were always vigilant about watching out for those foods that had caused issues in the past, however when Ellen suddenly became unwell, they initially thought it was her asthma. It rapidly became clear that something was very wrong.
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition which carries a high morbidity and mortality, with around 20 deaths from this condition reported in the UK each year. Delyth and Graham are determined to raise awareness about the condition, so other families don’t go through what they have:
It’s incredibly important and you don’t know just how important it is until you lose a child and I don’t want another person to go through what I go through every single day.
Delyth Raffell
The film has been released by Beat Anaphylaxis, an initiative created for the North East and North Cumbria that aims to improve the lives of children and young people suffering with or at risk of this serious condition.
The film will be hosted on www.BeatAnaphylaxis.co.uk, which is a website that contains a wide range of resources and links to support designed, not only for patients and their families, but also professionals in education and healthcare.
It is this kind of quality resource and awareness that Delyth and Graham want to encourage people to access.
I’ll miss my child until the day I die and until the day I die I’ll raise awareness and help other people in her name so that her life means something. I’d encourage parents, carers, educational professionals, friends and family of people with asthma or allergies to go on and have a look at the information.
Delyth Raffell
The Raffell family have been devastated by the loss of Ellen to anaphylaxis. Their courage and strength in sharing their tragic story, will undoubtebly raise awareness of anaphylaxis and hopefully enable the public and professionals involved in the care of children and young people to better recognise and manage this life-threatening condition.
Dr Andrew Bright, BeatAnaphylaxis Project Lead
Further information and advice
Please visit the BeatAnaphylaxis website and watch the film here:
- Follow on twitter @BeatAnaphylaxis
- Follow on instagram /beatanaphylaxis
Please also visit the BeatAsthma website
- Follow on twitter @BeatAsthmaUK
- Follow on facebook /beatasathma
We encourage you to visit Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, a fantastic organisation campaigning for change on allergies and follow on facebook
For those in the South East, visit The Sadie Bristow Foundation inspiring children in sport & improving allergy services & education.