UCS one of four districts nationally to earn $15,000 grant to promote anaphylaxis awareness

Utica Community Schools was one of four districts nationally to receive a $15,000 grant to create awareness about life-threatening allergic reactions.

The grant was awarded after Utica Community Schools parents and educators showed support for the program through a web-based voting process called Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness competition.

UCS parents and educators raised 24,643 hands to earn the grant, which is awarded by Mylan Specialty - a specialty pharmaceutical company.

"I am proud to be part of a community that once again rallied around its children," superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. "This grant will allow us to continue our work promoting awareness on how parents, educators and community members can support efforts to ensure a proper learning environment for all students."

The award was announced December 18 by Emmy®-award winning actress Julie Bowen. 

“Utica Community Schools has shown tremendous support for anaphylaxis awareness; a topic that is especially important to me as a mother of a child with life-threatening allergies," Bowen said. "I feel very proud to be part of this campaign that has so much support from schools throughout the country.” 

The grant will be used to purchase classroom materials focused on what teachers, students and parents can do to promote Anaphylaxis Awareness. 
UCS joined more than 830 others across all 50 states in rallying their communities to virtually “raise their hands” to be counted as those committed to anaphylaxis awareness.

The competition generated nearly 150,000 raised hands during the four-month program, showing strong support for anaphylaxis awareness and preparedness in school districts nationwide.

More information on the program is available at www.Anaphylaxis101.com. The site also contains access to tools that support ongoing education and communication about life-threatening allergies.