Patient Success Story: Armah, 13, is Raising Awareness About Food Allergies and Asthma to Help Kids Like Him

Armah experienced his first allergic reaction at the age of two after drinking chocolate milk. Now at age 13, he’s raising awareness about food allergies and asthma, hoping to help kids like him learn to navigate life with these conditions safely and with confidence.

Armah raising awareness with the Teal Pumpkin Project.

In the past Armah’s older brother, Natay, had strong success being desensitized to peanuts and tree nuts by his allergist Louis Mendelson, MD, FAAAAI, but desensitization did not work for Armah. He experienced a severe reaction that required hospitalization. The experience was so traumatic for the family that it wasn’t until Xolair was approved that they decided to try again, now working with AAAAI member Hillary Hernandez-Trujillo, MD. Her treatment plan was more successful, allowing Armah to have more independence and a greater sense of safety in his life.

“The most difficult parts of having food allergies and asthma when I was younger was feeling limited in my social life,” Armah said. “I couldn’t always participate in activities with other kids especially when food was involved. Even at school there were times I couldn’t join certain events. I also missed a lot of school because of my asthma which made things more challenging.”

Armah wanted to help other kids like him by raising awareness and providing support. He began participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, which encourages houses to offer non-food treats during trick-or-treat so kids with food allergies feel safer participating, when he was in kindergarten. As he got older, his outreach for the project continued to grow. “I wanted to help make these moments safer and more inclusive, so that’s why I started collecting pumpkins and painting them teal to support the Teal Pumpkin Project,” Armah said. “I even had the governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont, display a teal pumpkin and provide non-food treats during Halloween.”

The brothers are also working on a short book, “My Body is Brave: A Big Brother’s Guide to Staying Safe” and are working with their local children’s hospital to put together a buddy program so children like them see that they are not alone. Part of that involves creating a packet for kids admitted to the emergency room to take home with them—something Natay remembers receiving years ago when he was admitted, and that the family still has at home to this day.

Food allergies and asthma are no longer holding Armah back. In fact, thanks to Dr. Hernandez-Trujillo, he’s been able to start training for a 5k. He enjoys running and even considered participating in the 2026 AAAAI Foundation’s Virtual Run/Walk, though the weather was too cold where he lived to allow him to participate. He does hope to use his runs during the warmer months to help spread more awareness about asthma and allergies. “I want others to know that they’re not alone in this,” Armah said.

He hopes that other kids and their parents understand how important it is to work closely with a doctor and that if you have food allergies you should always have epinephrine, even if it may be inconvenient. “I always carry my EpiPen with me and bring my own safe food when I’m with my friends,” he said. “I also stay aware of my surroundings and make sure my friends understand my food allergies so that they can keep me safe.”

Armah’s story not only illustrates the impact that allergist/immunologists have on patients’ lives, but the impact that patients can have when they advocate for themselves and others like them in their communities.

If you have a patient story you’d like to share, contact April Presnell.