FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) announced on July 20 the introduction of a new feature developed for the documentary short series, “All Access with Andy Garcia,” which will be distributed to a national network of independent public television stations. The five-minute documentary short, titled “Food Allergy: The Invisible Disease,” highlights three families’ experiences living with food allergy, describing it as a serious disease of the immune system that is often misunderstood as a dietary preference or minor inconvenience despite its potential to cause life-threatening reactions.
The feature includes interviews with Kaye W. Cole, PhD, LPC, LCMHC, who shares her experience keeping her daughter safe; Kim Hartman and her son Andy, who is both a patient and advocate; and David Jaffe, chairman of FARE’s Board of Directors and father to four children diagnosed with severe food allergies. FARE CEO Sung Poblete, PhD, RN—who is also a food allergy patient—appears alongside these participants to discuss the hyper-vigilance required in managing the disease.
The organization said this new segment aims to bridge gaps in public understanding by reaching audiences unfamiliar with daily life affected by food allergies. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the United States alone. The piece also spotlights how scientific research can transform patients’ lives by featuring Kim Hartman and her son Andy’s participation in a clinical trial they described as life-altering for their family.
Dr. Poblete said, “The Hartmans’ experience underscores that scientific research represents an opportunity to improve the quality of life and health for those living with food allergy, which is core to FARE’s mission.” She added that charitable donations are essential for medical breakthroughs: “FARE’s DNA is all about collaboration. We’ve got scientists, we’ve got clinicians, we’ve got patients, and they’re all working together—all we need is funding.”
The documentary describes FARE's recently announced Mind Meld Team Grant Program—a landmark initiative aiming to raise and distribute up to $10 million in research funding—which Dr. Poblete called one of FARE’s most exciting opportunities yet. Jaffe said, “We’re at a stage now where we can see the breakthroughs just around the corner. If we can make an impact, if we can take that next generation of kids and make them healthier and safer, that would be tremendous.”
Dr. Poblete concluded, “We are a voice for those with food allergy, and we fight for research dollars to fund the vital work that accelerates breakthroughs and keeps this community safe.” The film will begin airing this week on public television stations nationwide as well as on Food Network, Cooking Channel, regional marketing areas—and will be distributed through All Access' database.
