FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 26, 2017 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 55
health
Halloween event to provide nonfood
treats for children with allergies
Halloween is right around the corner.
For many families, Halloween
can be tricky because many traditional
Halloween treats aren’t safe for children
with life-threatening food allergies.
In an eff ort to promote safety, inclusion
and respect of individuals managing
food allergies, Th e Grand Rehabilitation
and Nursing at Queens is partnering
with Teal Pumpkin Project, a worldwide
movement to create a safer, happier
Halloween for all kids, to host its second
annual Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular.
Th e event is set for Tuesday, Oct. 31
from 4 to 8p.m. at 157-15 19th Ave.,
Whitestone.
“Food allergies are a life-altering and
potentially life-threatening disease, and a
growing public health issue,” said Chloe
Hodgson, the Grand Rehabilitation and
Nursing at Queens Activities Director.
Hodgson noted that one in 13 children
has an allergy to peanuts, nuts, and
soy, or has been diagnosed with Celiac
Disease and need to stay away from gluten
and wheat. “For these children, even
a tiny amount of their allergen has the
potential to cause a severe reaction.”
“By placing a teal pumpkin in front
of our facility and off ering non-food
treats such as yo-yo’s, teal-colored frisbees
and other toys as an alternative to
candy, we can show children with severe
allergies that Th e Grand Rehabilitation
and Nursing at Queens is a safe place
to trick-or-treat without the dangers,”
she added.
Th e haunted evening will feature a
costume contest with prizes by age
group. Youngsters can also trick or treat
throughout the facility collecting devilish
delights along the way.
“For the residents of nursing facilities,
children are always a welcome
addition to the day,” said Peretz Stein,
the Administrator for the Grand
Rehabilitation and Nursing at Queens.
“Halloween provides an opportunity for
them to interact with young children
and bring back memories of their childhood.
It also takes them back to the days
when their own children were the kids
dressing up.”
For more information, please call 718-
640-8388, or visit thegrandhealthcare.
com/queens