Talking Allergies

Millions of kids and their families are affected daily by peanut allergies, even if they, themselves, don't have one. That's because food allergies -- including allergies to peanuts -- are on the rise, leading many schools and day-care centers to adopt peanut restrictions and peanut-free zones, and even to ban peanuts altogether. There is no known cure for these potentially life-threatening allergies, which is why education and awareness are key to keeping children with food allergies safe.

The new ARTHUR episode, "Binky Goes Nuts," and its companion educational guide, "Binky Goes Nuts: Understanding Peanut Allergies," aim to build an awareness of peanut allergies and give kids the tools they need to help their food-allergic friends. "Binky Goes Nuts" premieres on PBS KIDS GO! Friday, April 8, 2005, and encores Monday, May 9 (check local listings) during national Food Allergy Awareness Week (http://foodallergy.org/FAAW/faaw.html). In this episode, when Binky discovers that he's allergic to peanuts, he has so many questions: Will he be forced to live without Chinese food? Will he ever again be able to eat with his friends? And most importantly, will his mom ever calm down? Binky learns that the best way not to go nuts is to be well-informed, and to understand his allergy.

Tune in to TVO, Thursday, June 2, at 5:00 pm for the episode of the popular kids television show, Arthur, when his friend Binky discovers that he is allergic to peanuts. It will be shown again on TVO on Thursday, June 17, at 5:00 pm.

Viewers may record the show for educational, non-commercial use, per PBS website,

www.pbskids.org/arthur/parentsteachers/ ... sroom.html

and can download its companion educational guide Binky Goes Nuts: Understanding Peanut Allergies from PBS at:

www.pbskids.org/arthur/parentsteachers/lesson/health

For your information,

Anaphylaxis Canada