On Sunday, Oct. 7, hundreds of Long Island families and their friends will walk to build awareness and raise funds to find a cure for life-threatening food allergies, a condition affecting 12 million Americans - 3 million of whom are school age children. The event will also feature exciting carnival activities for all ages - and draw much needed attention to this growing national health concern. New York State Senator Craig Johnson will make a formal proclamation of Food Allergy Walk Day. The Long Island Duck's mascot Quacker Jack will also be in attendance to show the team's support for the cause. Without a cure, awareness and education among the general public are essential for keeping food allergic individuals safe.

The third annual walk will take place at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York. Registration begins at noon, and the three-mile walk starts at 1:15 p.m. Healthy refreshments including juices, fruit, water, etc. will be available.

Pre-register online at www.foodallergywalk.org. Hundreds of area residents will walk as family teams, school teams, corporate teams, or as individuals. Walkers collect donations in advance from friends, family members, and business associates, and then deliver the funds to FAAN on walk day.

This condition, which was relatively unknown only a few decades ago, now causes 30,000 trips to emergency departments and nearly 200 deaths in the United States every year. One in 25 Americans have food allergy - that is nearly 4 percent of our population.