Event will also incorporate medical professionals who will educate the community on food allergy triggers and how to treat anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction)

San Antonio, TX [May 1, 2012]--Nationally recognized Anaphylaxis Community Expert (ACE) Dr. Erika Gonzalez-Reyes, and Dr. Joseph Diaz, both of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of South Texas, are excited to announce that they are hosting the first annual Alamo ACE Challenge on Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. in the middle of the historic Market Square. The event, unlike any other, was created on behalf of the Anaphylaxis Community Experts Team in San Antonio, Texas (ACE), a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of anaphylaxis through education, advocacy and outreach in the community. Alamo ACE Challenge will feature a cooking contest in which chefs will compete to create the best delicious summer dessert without the use of the most common food allergens, as a part of the “Mother’s Day” event hosted by Market Square.

Additionally, medical providers from Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Associates of South Texas will educate fellow medical professionals in private info sessions, and the community in general public info sessions (from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. inside the Market Square Fiesta Room) on the most common causes of severe allergic reactions and teach how to treat the symptoms. “Our goal for this event is to increase awareness in the San Antonio community on ways to prevent anaphylaxis and to demonstrate preparedness in the event of an anaphylactic emergency,” said Dr. Gonzalez-Reyes. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening and potentially fatal severe allergic reaction that comes on suddenly and may cause hives, wheezing, and swelling of the tongue, nose and throat after consuming a food with an allergen, and could also result in death. Anaphylaxis also most commonly occurs in the community setting in the absence of a health care professional.

Kicking off National Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 13 to May 19), the Alamo ACE Challenge will also include a cooking competition that will serve to educate the community on the most common food allergy triggers and creatively feature delicious summer dessert recipes that can be enjoyed without utilizing the most common food allergens such as: peanuts, eggs and milk.

According to the 2010 Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States, four out of every 100 children have a food allergy, and eight foods that account for 90% of all food-allergy reactions are: cow’s milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soybeans and wheat, all ingredients prevalent in most of our everyday foods.

“We would love for the community of San Antonio to come join us in Market Square on May 12,” said Dr. Gonzalez-Reyes. “We want to teach the city ways to avoid allergic reactions, and, in the case it does happen, how take care of their loved ones.”

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For more information on this event or to schedule an interview with Drs. Gonzalez-Reyes and/or Joseph Diaz during Allergy Awareness Week (May 13-19), contact Ivonne Vega at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (210) 616-5392.

About ACEs

Anaphylaxis Community Experts (ACEs) is an award-winning national program to raise awareness, reduce anxiety and eliminate deaths due to anaphylaxis through education, advocacy and outreach. This program is sponsored by Dey Pharma, LP.

About Dr. Erika Gonzalez-Reyes

Dr. Erika Gonzalez-Reyes is board certified with the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and the American Board of Pediatrics. After serving in the USAF for ten years, she joined Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of South Texas and specializes in the treatment and management of food allergies and anaphylaxis. She is also an ACE leader for the San Antonio area and is dedicated to increasing community awareness of food allergies to help prevent death from anaphylaxis.

About Dr. Joseph Diaz

Dr. Joseph Diaz is board certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He has specialized in the treatment of allergies, asthma and immunology for almost 25 years having founded Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Associates of South Texas in 1989. Dr. Diaz also serves as Medical Director of Allergy and Asthma Research Center, which prides itself in conducting cutting edge research in asthma and allergic medicinal innovations. With four locations in San Antonio, he is committed to providing the best allergy care to the San Antonio community.