Some people say to themselves when they pop a peanut candy into their mouths, "Just one won't kill me." Others say, "No thanks, just one could KILL me!"

Moms like Eileen Kirkland, co-chair of this year's Food Allergy & Anaphylaxic Network Walk for Food Allergies, are putting their money where their mouths are and trying to raise funds for awareness and research.

"I have a husband who's allergic to shellfish and legumes and a son with allergies to peanuts and tree nuts," said the Smokerise resident. "Upon my son's diagnosis, I became motivated to do all I can to help educate others about the seriousness of food allergies and what can be done to keep people that have them safe."

Kirkland said that, because of husband's food allergies and because her family also has them, she was careful when introducing new foods to her son, Cody.

"We added things one at a time, and when it came time for peanut butter, we gave it to him in the pediatrician's office. Sure enough, he had an anaphylactic reaction," Kirkland said.

As the school year begins, it's also a good time to be aware of common food allergies and how to avoid children coming into contact with them. Kirkland said she worries not only for her son, but also for others afflicted with food allergies.

Some things sufferers do to arm themselves are as simple as carrying an Epi-Pen, seeing the allergist regularly and always being careful about what and where they eat.

"Unfortunately, we have seen two fatalities related to food allergies in Atlanta in the last few weeks," she said. "One was a high school student who ate a chocolate chip cookie at Wal-Mart in Loganville and the other was a Kennesaw State student that passed away after eating in the dining hall."

Kirkland said she got involved in the walk first as a participant, then moved up to co-chair the event, which is expected to include 600 participants and raise $60,000.

"My kids call this 'the party for kids with food allergies,' and it is very special to our family, so I wanted to see this event continue in our area," Kirkland said.

This walk is one of 40 walks that FAAN will hold this year throughout the United States. Much of the money is used to aid education and awareness through programs for restaurants, schools, and daycare centers as well as caregivers, Kirkland said.

Kirkland emphasizes that food allergy is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that:

• Results in more than 300,000 ambulatory-care visits a year among children, according to the CDC.
• Affects more than 12 million Americans, about 4 percent of the population, including 3 million children
• Is often hereditary, although it is rising in prevalence with no known cause or hereditary factor.
• Has no cure. Avoidance and education are the keys to preventing reactions and saving lives.

Details about the Food Allergy Walk

Date: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011

Location: Brook Run Park (Dunwoody), 4770 N. Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30338

Check-In Begins: 9 a.m.

Walk Begins: 10 a.m.

Distance: 2 miles

Contact: Walkatlanta@foodallergy.org