When a child has a chronic condition—like asthma or allergies—the whole family feels the pain.

For Melissa, asthma and allergies have become a struggle that her family faces every day. Her older son, Daniel, was diagnosed with severe asthma and 72 environmental allergies at an early age.

And her younger son, Alex, is severely allergic to almost all of the top food allergens, and is at-risk for anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction).

“My heart aches for them. I have one child who can’t breathe, and another who can’t eat most foods.”

Parents of children with severe asthma and allergies live in constant fear and anxiety. They understand the value of each breath.

Daniel had never been able to play sports and his severe asthma has landed him in the hospital more than once.

And Alex couldn’t join his friends at football games, summer camps, or sleepovers because the risk of going into anaphylactic shock was too high.

Melissa worries constantly.

“It makes me neurotic and I cry at times.”

As a parent, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child struggle with a chronic disease. When your child is diagnosed, all of a sudden, you’re not just a “regular” parent, but you’re forced to become an expert and an advocate.

The first step in keeping your child safe is to learn everything you can about the disease and its care.

Thanks to our donors, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) provides education and support for parents like Melissa who don’t know where to turn following a life-changing diagnosis.

“It’s so easy to feel alone and isolated when you’re struggling with these diseases, especially as a child. I’m thankful to AAFA for being on our side when we needed it most.”

Today, Daniel is 16 and Alex is 12, and—because of our donors—AAFA has provided families like theirs with training, tools, and resources to fight these deadly diseases—but our work is not yet done.

Please consider including AAFA in your holiday giving plans. With your continued support, we can do so much more.