Resources

SoCal TIP Patient Interview: Liz Gilligan

Liz Gilligan is a food allergy mom to Jack, an 11 year old allergic to peanut and tree nuts. They live in Pacific Palisades, a suburb of Los Angeles. Jack is on maintenance for tree nuts and currently dosing peanuts but has been cleared for cross-contact. Liz’s advice to anyone interested in TIP is to join the waitlist while you learn about the program; it’s been life changing for Jack and her family. Her favorite moment from Jack’s time in the program was when he no longer needed to ask what kind of oil a restaurant used in their fryer and was able to safely eat at Chick-fil-A, which uses peanut oil.  

SoCal TIP Patient Interview: Josh Franklin

Josh Franklin is a food allergy dad to Jack, a 7 year old allergic to peanut and egg. They live in San Diego and Jack is in maintenance for egg, is currently dosing peanut, and no longer needs to worry about peanut or egg cross-contact. Josh’s advice to anyone interested in TIP is to believe the stories about how much it’s changed people’s lives. His favorite moment from Jack’s time in the program was when their family was able to go to a restaurant together for the first time, which was made even sweeter as it was Josh's birthday.  

SoCal TIP Patient Interview: Sage Kamin

Sage Kamin is a food allergy mom to Payton, a 16 year old allergic to fin fish. They live in Chicago. Payton graduated from TIP about a year ago and can freely eat his allergens. Sage’s advice to anyone interested in TIP is to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Her favorite moment from Payton’s time in the program was the first time they went to a restaurant and didn’t have to say a word about Payton’s allergies, he could just pick anything he wanted off the menu.  

SoCal TIP Patient Interview: Jess Carrillo

Jess Carrillo is 23 years old and allergic to peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, chickpea, lentils, seeds, nightshades, kiwi, and melon, and avoids fish and shellfish. She lives in Morgan Hill, California and travels to SoCal about every 8 weeks. She’s currently 2 years into the program and is now able to eat brazil nut, coconut, cashew, macadamia, pistachio, soy, sunflower, and pumpkin freely. Her advice to anyone interested in TIP is to understand the time commitment involved and to know she’s felt safe the entire time and would highly recommend it to anyone. Her favorite moment from her time in the program was being able to freely eat a Brazil nut for the first time in her life.  

SoCal TIP Patient Interview: Ellery Estevan

Ellery Estevan is 20 years old, allergic to peanuts, and sensitive to tree nuts. She lives in Dallas and travels to SoCal every 6-8 weeks. She's currently dosing her final allergen, peanut, and has reached the point of no longer needing to worry about cross-contact. Her advice to anyone interested in TIP is to believe people’s stories about how life-changing it’s been for them, including her own. Her favorite moment from her time in the program was getting to go on a food crawl with her friends where she freely enjoyed donuts, Starbucks, and boba, followed by a day of trying new restaurants with her family.  

SoCal TIP Patient Interview: Jen Keller

Jen Keller is a food allergy mom to Elliott, a 10 year old allergic to peanut, tree nuts, milk, egg, and soy. They live in Miami and travel to SoCal about every 10-12 weeks. Elliott is currently dosing peanut, his final allergen. Jen’s advice to anyone interested in TIP is to enroll—she says it’s been life changing for her family and recommends it wholeheartedly. Her favorite moment from Elliott’s time in the program was seeing how excited he was to be able to eat a slice of pizza for the first time.