Maplewood Chamber of Commerce features a different business each month. This month it’s the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter.
Business Name:
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America,
St. Louis Chapter (AAFA -STL)
Directed by:
Joy Krieger, MA, RN
How would you describe the AAFA-STL?
Serving the St. Louis community since 1981, AAFA-STL serves those affected by asthma and allergies through education, support and resources. Our flagship program, BREATH, helps provide underserved children/families Rx assistance, durable medical equipment, education and support. In 2015, AAFA-STL served 584 kids and their families through this program. RESCUE is our school nurse asthma equipment program, in which we assist area schools by providing life-saving asthma equipment & education. Last year, we served 238 schools (a 35 percent increase in schools served from 2014!) Thanks to our robust advocacy efforts, AAFA-STL was an integral force in passing HB 1188 in 2012, which allows schools in the State of Missouri to stock asthma rescue medicine (and also permits a school nurse or qualified staff-person to administer the medicine to a child experiencing an asthma emergency). AAFA-STL also provides community outreach and educational classes, tailored to the specific needs of the audience. We are a United Way agency, and our main programs serve St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Madison County (IL), and St. Clair County (IL). The agency’s next big event is the 28th Annual Golf Tournament, in memory of Michael Brewer, Jr. (to be held Friday, July 29 at Crescent Farms Golf Club).
What is the most exciting thing to happen to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter?
As mentioned, AAFA-STL worked diligently to pass House Bill 1188 in Missouri, in 2012. This law gives qualified personnel at schools the ability to treat a child experiencing an asthma emergency in the school setting, avoiding missed school for the child, missed work for the parents, and an ER trip for both. Since the advent of this program, the State of Missouri has seen a decrease in school absenteeism, prompting Joy to be invited to present the findings at the Every Student, Every Day National Conference in Washington, D.C. There, she highlighted how AAFA-STL has been a pioneer with regards to advocacy efforts and the RESCUE program.
Do you have a “favorite” Maplewood or Richmond Heights business?
Joy loves Penzeys Spices….the staff loves Schlafly Bottleworks!
The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter is located at 1500 S. Big Bend Boulevard, Suite 1 S, in Richmond Heights. aafastl.org