Meet nine-year-old Jon

Jon suffers from Eosinophilic oEsophagitis (EE), an allergic condition of the oesophagus, which causes the body to confuse food with infection and attack the body's own tissues. As a result of his condition, Jon is prevented from eating all but ten foods for the rest of his life. Any prohibited foods cause throat blockages, vomiting, stomach pain and loss of appetite. Unfortunately in Jon's case, specific foods like seafood, nuts and egg also cause anaphylaxis. To maintain his health, Jon is fed a special non-allergenic formula via a tube connected to his tummy. He also takes two types of medication every day to help reduce his risk of allergic reaction.

Researchers at the Children's Research Centre are working to help Jon and other children like him by trialling the early introduction of known food allergens during babyhood, instead of avoiding them as traditionally prescribed. It is hoped that this reverse strategy will prove more effective in protecting infants from developing food allergies in later childhood, and that we can help reduce the growing rate of food allergy among Australian children.

We need your help to further our important research. Please donate here to make a difference to Jon and the lives of other children suffering from chronic food allergies.