Middlesex County’s Ray Andersen, who jammed with Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s, toured with Matchbox 20 and Meat Loaf in the 1990s, and is now known as the children’s singer/songwriter mr. RAY, will be headlining a concert following the FAAN Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure, to be held in Long Branch on Sept. 7.
Nearly 100,000 New Jersey schoolchildren have food allergies, for which there is no cure. An estimated 150 to 200 Americans die every year from fatal reactions, and another 30,000 people visit the emergency room to receive life-saving treatment for food-induced anaphylaxis.
The Walk for Food Allergy raises awareness and funds for food allergy education and research. The walks are organized by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), a leader in food allergy information. The walk will begin at the Great Lawn north of Pier Village at 10 a.m., with check-in for participants at 9 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by mr. RAY and Rockit! For Kids. Food companies will also provide allergen-free samples. Frank Dicopoulos, of CBS’s “Guiding Light,” is the emcee. Restaurateur and musician Tim McLoone, whose 7-year-old daughter has a peanut allergy, is honorary chairman of the FAAN walk. Greater Media Newspapers is a sponsor of the event.
To register to walk, visit www.foodallergywalk. org/longbranch_nj.