Hi, I’m Dean, and I am 17 years old. I have been fishing for over 5 years and it has easily become my favorite hobby. I am grateful to live in California where there are so many amazing bodies of water around me. I have had the opportunity to catch giants out of Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa, and the California Delta. I love the kayak bass fishing community!

Throughout my life, I have been dealing with severe food allergies and it has not been easy. I always have to carry my Epi-Pen and inhaler in case I have a life-threatening allergic reaction. But thanks to a clinical trial conducted at the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University by Dr. Kari Nadeau, I am now able to tolerate some of my allergens.

Although I still have to take an Epi-Pen and inhaler with me everywhere I go, completing this trial has changed my life. It has reduced the amount of stress that I feel when I’m near foods I am allergic to. I am now able to eat out with my friends and family and travel more freely. Participating in the trial has given me the freedom to explore the outdoors and discover my passion for fishing without having to worry about being close to a hospital. Because I have gained so much from participating in this study, I want to support the Center so that others can also experience the same life-changing benefits from this research. With the help of my family, friends, and amazing sponsors, I will be hosting the Fourth Annual Food Allergy Kayak Bass Fishing Fundraiser Tournament on July 27, 2024, at New Melones Lake, California to help other kids who suffer from food allergies, increase awareness, and also one day find a cure. One hundred percent of the proceeds from my tournament will go to the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research.

Thank you so much for your support!