About 32 million people have food allergies in the United States. 26 million are adults, and 5.6 million are children. Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America). Sullivan created her senior project around her allergy to spread awareness for others with similar conditions.

“I started this project about a month ago,” Ainsley said. “I customize and order them from a website called Wristband Bros. The bracelets are 5 dollars and for kids who have allergies like mine.”

Senior Ainsley Sullivan discovered she had a severe peanut allergy when she was 3 years old. Ainsley had her first and only reaction in preschool. Now, Sullivan is cautious about avoiding nuts. She decided to customize and sell bracelets to spread awareness for allergies.

“If I come in contact with a nut, I could go into anaphylactic shock where my throat closes up, and I can’t breathe,” Ainsley said. “I’ve been lucky to only have one serious reaction.”

Customer Rett Bever bought a bracelet from Ainsley. Bever has a tree nut allergy.

“Along with it being for a great cause, I love the bracelet because it looks really cool.” Bever said. “The best part is when people ask me where it’s from, and I can do my part to spread awareness.”

Ainsley’s mom, Jamie Sullivan, has helped her through the whole process and decision making. 

“Ainsley has always been a very strong willed, determined child,” Jamie said. “When she came up with the idea, I knew she would make a big impact.”

Ainsley plans to donate the money to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Ainsley’s hard work and dedication will have an impact on kids all across America. The non-profit foundation is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy group in the world.  

“I chose this foundation because it has already been successful in creating awareness and helping those with allergies,” Ainsley said. “I felt the money would be put to the best use there.”

Throughout the process of creating and selling her bracelets, Ainsley discovered that allergies are more common.

“There are so many people with peanut allergies,” Ainsley said. “It’s amazing to take a negative and use it to help so many others with the same problem. I hope to make people more aware of how serious allergies are.”