‘ Project Abbie ’ Device Aims To Revolutionize Anaphylaxis Treatment

HOPKINTON (CBS) – “She was a big personality. Her absence is felt pretty much every moment of every day,” Amy Benford told WBZ-TV speaking with pride and grief as she described her daughter, Abbie. On the same day the Hopkinton teenager was getting ready to celebrate her 16th birthday with friends she had a severe allergic reaction. “One of her friends came downstairs and said, ‘Abbie needs you,'” Mrs. Benford recalled. That’s when Abbie’s dad, Stephen, rushed upstairs. “I asked if she was okay and she said, ‘I just can’t move air, Dad. I think I need my inhaler.’ It didn’t occur to me that it was an anaphylactic reaction.” Abbie had lived her whole life with severe allergies but this attack was different. “Abbie’s first symptom that day was indigestion. You’re not going to give anybody an EpiPen to treat indigestion,” said Mrs. Benford. “In a 6-minute window she went from difficulty breathing to a life-threatening situation,” explained Mr. Benford. Abbie Benford. (Family photo) Abbie died just days before reaching her 16th birthday. Even under the weight of incredible grief Abbie’s parents were compelled to take action. “Our motivation was to do something, do something that can save lives,” said Mr. Benford. Only weeks after Abbie’s death in 2013 the Benfords reached out to Dr. Benjamin Matthews, the doctor who treated Abbie during h...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Syndicated Local Abbie Benford Anaphylaxis Dr. Benjamin Matthews Dr. Mallika Marshall Keep Smilin' 4 Abbie Foundation Project Abbie Source Type: news