September marks a season of new beginnings as students adjust to college life; for those living with eosinophil-associated diseases, this transition can be daunting. However, as LSU student Abigail Watson shares, it’s also full of possibility with the right support and accommodations. Check out her story of thriving with eosinophilic esophagitis on campus from APFED’s newsletter archives:

My name is Abigail Watson, and I attend Louisiana State University (LSU). As a student living with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), college can be scary. However, it has the potential to be so awesome!

Some preparations are needed for success. I have worked with LSU’s allergy chefs to ensure that an on-campus dining plan works for me. (How awesome is it that they have allergy chefs?!)  This helps ensure that I will not get sick while eating on campus.

LSU has fantastic accommodations for people living with eosinophilic conditions. I have accommodations like frequent breaks during class and consideration for absences that help when I do get a flareup (usually from eating off campus with friends or stress). I also have a private dorm room, which allows me to feel confident and comfortable while taking my weekly Dupixent® shots. Due to these preparations, I have thrived during freshmen year!

Having an eosinophilic condition in Louisiana is very hard. Not many people, including doctors, are familiar with them. I have had to switch to various doctors in the past. It took almost two years to get to the doctors that I have now. I truly believe more people need to be educated on rare diseases like eosinophilic diseases. Some of my past doctors accused me of “doing this to myself” and “using my parents,” which was untrue. There were a few doctors that had the best intentions of helping me, but they just could not figure out what was wrong with me.

However, there was one doctor who has always been by my side: Dr. Gabe. He is a local urgent care doctor with a big heart. He was unable to help me himself with my condition, but he did not stop until I had my disease manageable. Today, along with my doctors in Boston, Massachusetts, I have my disease managed and I am flourishing in college. I am even on LSU’s rowing team!

My biggest piece of advice for any college student living with eosinophilic esophagitis is to work closely with your school. I know many colleges other than LSU that are accommodating. I have explained my situation thoroughly to LSU’s staff, and I am living my best life because of it. I am able to study confidently, and I have been able to make many true friends. It may be scary to make friends when living with a health condition, but there are many people in college that are understanding. I have come across people who have treated me differently because of my disease, but trust me, there are many good people out there wanting to make friends regardless of the obstacles you face.

Related Resource

Want to hear more about navigating eosinophilic disease in college? Check out APFED Podcast, Episode 39: Navigating EoE in College, where Kate Goncalves shares her experiences preparing for campus life, managing treatment, and finding balance with EoE.

Listen here: https://apfed.org/podcast

We are deeply grateful to Mike and Robin Rantz for sharing Adam’s story, and for honoring his memory by raising funds to advance research and awareness for eosinophilic diseases.

At the age of 32, our son, Adam, died unexpectedly from a massive heart attack.

Just eight years prior, he was diagnosed with a disease we had never heard of – eosinophilic fasciitis (EF). It took months to find the right doctor and to get the tests to get a definitive diagnosis. During this time, Adam was in extreme pain. His upper and lower extremities were so inflamed that it was difficult for him to use them. The delay in his care was beyond frustrating.

For the last nine years, we have been searching for answers as to why, at such a young age, our son’s heart failed.

Was it related to the EF? Was it related to the medications used to treat EF?  Was it a heart condition no one had picked up on? So many questions!  It took a long time, but we realized that no one had the answer.

In looking for an answer we found a way to honor Adam’s memory and help bring awareness to this rare disease. Fundraising for APFED has helped us connect with folks like us. Folks looking for answers. Folks looking for better treatment options.

Adam’s older brother, Ethan, took to the internet shortly after Adam’s death, in search of answers and found APFED.  With help from Julie at APFED, they organized the first AMR memorial golf outing. No one had ever heard of EF but by the end of the day of the event, our friends and family were able to pronounce eosinophilic fasciitis.   It was a start.  Ethan and Julie organized three memorial golf outings until COVID shut everything down. Over those 3 years we raised awareness and $50,000 to support eosinophilic disease research.  We are so proud of his efforts.

This year, my husband has spearheaded a fundraising event for APFED once again. Thanks to his efforts, APFED has been named the beneficiary of our community classic car show, Cars for a Cause. It’s a yearly car show that benefits a different charity every year. This year it’s being held on Sunday, September 14, in Quakertown, PA. You can learn more about this event.

Fundraising has given us a way to stay connected with Adam. To honor his memory. It’s not very easy reliving all the pain and hard times Adam went through but it’s a way of grieving as we continue to heal.

To support this event in Adam’s memory, please consider donating here.

Our hope is to bring more awareness to eosinophilic disease and raise funds so the research can continue and one day provide better treatments and maybe even ways to prevent this auto immune disease.

For more information about fundraising opportunities, please email APFED fundraise@apfed.org.

As wildfire season intensifies across many regions, those living with asthma—including eosinophilic asthma—face heightened health risks that extend far beyond the immediate fire zones. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles, creating hazardous air quality conditions that may persist for days or weeks.

For people with eosinophilic asthma and other respiratory conditions, smoke exposure presents specific challenges. The fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially triggering inflammation, worsening existing symptoms, and increasing the risk of severe asthma attacks.

The impact goes beyond physical symptoms. Wildfire seasons can disrupt daily routines, limit outdoor activities, and create anxiety about when the next air quality alert might come. Understanding how to prepare for and respond to these conditions is essential for maintaining respiratory health and quality of life.

APFED has compiled the following resources to help you navigate wildfire season more safely. While this list isn’t exhaustive, these tools and guidelines can help you monitor conditions, protect your health, and know when to seek medical care.

General Resources

• AirNow Air Quality Index (AQI). AirNow is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies.
• Preparing for Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters When You Have Asthma, Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America
• Wildfires and How They Affect Air Quality and Asthma, Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America
• How Wildfire Smoke Can Worsen Your Asthma, Allergy & Asthma Network
• Wildfire Smoke, Air Quality, and Your Health, Allergy & Asthma Network

As we reflect on the first half of 2025, we’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the amazing APFED community, individuals like you who fuel our mission every single day.

From powerful advocacy efforts to grassroots fundraising, your dedication has helped turn hope into action. Together, we’ve:

• Celebrated key advocacy wins
• Advanced awareness in countless new spaces
• Reached critical fundraising milestones
• Empowered patients and families through education and support

You’ve shared your personal story, contacted legislators, amplified our message on social media, volunteered at Eos Connection, or donated to sustain our work. You’ve made a lasting difference in so many ways:

• Your lived experience has become a force for change.
• Your support has helped train providers and educate newly diagnosed families.
• Your actions have helped APFED build a future where eosinophil-associated diseases are better understood and better treated.

Because of you, APFED is more than an organization; it’s a movement.

From all of us at APFED, thank you for your time, your energy, and your unwavering commitment. You are the heart of everything we do, and we’re honored to continue this journey together.

With gratitude,
The APFED Team