Even though no one in my family needs an epinephrine auto injector, I decided to take the “Do It for Dillon” anaphylaxis training sponsored by the Osteopathic Physicians. My family often goes to motocross races that span several states and camp on the track grounds. These places can be far from a city, a clinic, or an emergency room. An anaphylaxis emergency can happen anywhere at any time and can be caused by many different things from food allergies to insect bites. I wanted to be prepared in case someone had an anaphylaxis episode, so I could help them. When I took the “Do It for Dillon” anaphylaxis training as taught by Angel Mueller in Wisconsin, I felt that it was very informative and easy to understand. After completing the course, I had all the knowledge and confidence to be able to administer an epinephrine auto injector, if needed. I would compare learning how to use an epinephrine auto injector with learning how to do CPR. You learn it in hopes you never have to use it, but are trained and prepared in case you would have to use it. I never expected to actually have to administer an epinephrine auto injector, but I was called upon to do this very thing at, of all places, a race track in Michigan. A young rider got stung by a bee twice in his chest while racing his dirt bike. Even though there were EMT’s at the track, they did not have an epinephrine auto injector. His throat was starting to close and he was having trouble breathing. I was able to use my “Do It for Dillon” anaphylaxis training to quickly and safely administer the epinephrine auto injector. In a matter of seconds, the young rider was feeling better! Best of all, he is alive today to tell of his experience and to be able to live his life, doing all the things he wants to do, including racing dirt bikes! The state of Minnesota has since signed Dillon’s Law, because of this incident and the hard work of the Muellers and the Osteopathic Physicians. I am very thankful every day that the Muellers decided to turn the tragedy of their son, Dillon, dying from a tiny bee sting into a nationwide quest of saving lives with the help of Osteopathic Physicians and Dillon’s Law. Without them, I would not have been able to SAVE A LIFE!

Please support Dillon’s Law, because DILLON’S LAW SAVES LIVES!

Kelly Augustine