The Boy Who Cannot Eat

The Koscinski family from South Carolina was recently invited to be guests on the Anderson
Cooper Daytime Talk Show, to discuss the illness their son, Joshua, lives with – Eosinophilic
Esophagitis. In a segment titled “The Boy Who Cannot Eat” Cara and Brent Koscinski shared
with Anderson and the audience what life is like for their son Joshua. Joshua and his older
brother Jacob joined their parents on the show and discussed topics such as bullying. The
segment discussed both EoE and Joshua’s food allergies, including his risk of anaphylaxis to the
smell of food.

Dr. Johnathan Markowitz from Children’s Hospital of Greenville Hospital University Medical
Center was also a guest on the show, sharing information about eosinophilic disorders and
sighting APFED as a source of information and support.

In one of several surprises for the Koscinski family, New York Best Selling Author, Brendon
Burchard, spoke to Anderson and the family via Skype, offering to assist the family with training
on how to create awareness of eosinophilic disorders. He also pledged a $10,000 donation to
APFED in the family’s honor.

In the episode, the family shared that the only way Joshua has ever been able to experience what
foods would taste like was via the one brand of lollipops he could eat, DumDums. Spangler
Candy Company, a partner with APFED for National Eosinophil Awareness Week, donated a
large supply of DumDums, several buckets of Joshua’s favorite flavor, Root Beer, and other fun
gifts.

Message from APFED’s President, Wendy Book:

On behalf of the patients and families we represent, APFED is extremely grateful to
Anderson Cooper, the producers, Dr. Johnathan Markowitz, and Cara, Brent, Jacob, and
Joshua Koscinski for educating the nation about Eosinophil Associated Disorders. By
sharing about these diseases on the show, you have taken major steps towards the eos
community’s goal of making “eosinophil” a household word. By reaching out, you have
helped so many people struggling for years to find answers, as well as all those who feel
“alone” living with these diseases.

We would also like to thank Brandon Buchard for his pledge of $10,000 to APFED in the
Koscinski’s honor, and supporting APFED in our mission to improve the lives of those
suffering with eosinophilic diseases.