The Indiana Osteopathic Association is working to get epinephrine auto-injectors in the hands of trained individuals to save lives. Representatives Barrett, Davisson, and others from the Indiana House of Representatives Public Health Committee have sponsored a bill based on Wisconsin’s “Dillon’s Law.” If it becomes law, individuals can go through state-approved training, purchase epinephrine at a pharmacy through a standing order, then carry it with you should you ever need it to help save a life.

For details see the post on the IOA Facebook page.

On January 16, 2020, Bellin Health Manitowoc hosted an after-hour event for the community to become certified to carry an epinephrine injector. It was led by certified instructor, Angel Mueller, a resident of Manitowoc County. Angel and her husband, George, have made it their life’s mission to train and certify as many people as they can so that others do not have to experience the tragedy their family did in 2014.

Their 18-year-old son, Dillon, died from a bee sting reaction and if epinephrine had been available, his life may have been saved. In 2017, Governor Scott Walker signed a law making Wisconsin the first state to allow an individual to become certified to obtain a prescription and use an epinephrine injector. This is called “Dillon’s Law.” Angel and George travel across Wisconsin providing an hour-long lecture and training for free. This course enables the participants to recognize a severe allergic reaction
and administer the life-saving medication epinephrine. At the completion of the course, participants were given certificates, good for four years, and information on how to obtain a prescription for an epinephrine injector at low or no cost depending on what brand they choose. If anyone is interested in having Angel do a free hour-long training course, she can be reached at (920) 905-3863, or by e-mail at brothersracing@live.com.

• Harescramble races: are  1.5 & 2 hour long endurance races on a dirtbike or quad thru fields, woods and rough terrain. Last year our course was 4 miles in length.
• 50/50 raffle
• bucket raffles
• bake sale
• lawnmowers “quit time” raffle
• New racers and Public welcome
• Overnight camping free for those with campers (no water or power hookup in our field)
• Mueller 115 apparel and anaphylaxis definition t-shirts for sale.
• This is our only fundraiser of the year along with t-shirt sales.  Please come out and enjoy the country and support our mission of offering FREE state certified anaphylaxis training courses, continuing education, community events, scholarships and allergy awareness as well as working to get  Dillons Law nationwide.  MN now has Dillons Law (MNSF1257)
• DILLONS LAW ( 2017 Wi. Act 133) allows ANYONE who is trained to carry and administer an epinephrine autoinjector  to anyone they believe is suffering from a severe allergic reaction and be covered by the good samaritan law. This is what we teach to ANYONE for FREE. The ‘Do it for Dillon’ save a life anaphylaxis training course is WI  state approved and taught by certified instructors.
• LETS DO IT FOR DILLON
• The Dillon Mueller Memorial Fund is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization ran by 100% volunteers. Your support can help us continue to save lives in Dillons honor. (see news tab)                    Angel Mueller                                                                                                                                  Dillons Mom                                                                                                    President- DILLON MUELLER MEMORIAL FUND                                                Instructor- ‘Do it for Dillon’ save a life anaphylaxis training program

New Frankin Fire Dept. used their training from the state certified course to save  another life. When first responders  called the station and asked them to respond to the call the fire fighters moved into action.  All EMS from the area knew that New Frankin F.D. had been trained and had epinephrine autoinjectors on hand.  Way to go!!!

Another participant of the ‘Do It For Dillon’ annaphylaxis training program received a frantic call from his mother in law that she was in distress after eating a vending machine sandwich. With severe swelling to the face, hives all over and a very hoarse voice she realized it was possibly life threatening.  She knew he was trained and had epinephrine autoinjectors. Arriving within minutes he administered the autoinjector and symptoms started to subside.  She now has her very own epinephrine autoinjector.  He is now her favorite son in law:)

We have held several classes in August.  5 in the last week.  Gibraltar Fire and Rescue hosted a course out on Chambers Island, Wi.  Department employees and summer inhabitants of the island all joined in.  Professional medical folks and parents of severely allergic kids all commented that even though they have lived or worked with this life threatening health issue they still “learned something new”.  It is very rewarding to me knowing I am helping folks to become more prepared and confident in recognizing anaphylaxis and teaching them how to administer 4 different brands of autoinjectors. The boat ride out and back was absolutely breathtaking!!!  Talk about an office view!!

Xtreme Trucking, Maribel, Wi. hosted a class for its employees.  Another very well informed group after completion.  Now certified the employees who travel to other states may now administer to anyone who they believe is suffering from a severe allergic reaction, anywhere, and be covered by the good samaritan protections of the law. Instructor evaluations once again showed me that even knowledgeable participants “learned something new”.  All evaluations are positive and uplifting.

Reedsville, Wi. school district had us teach their teachers and they too learned new things. 70 participants total including the principal and the school nurse.   Schools since 2013 are allowed to carry “stock epinephrine” for the kids and visitors with UNDIAGNOSED allergies or those who don’t have their medication with them. Epipen4schools.com will give public schools FREE  epinephrine autoinjectors to each building, a carrying case to mount on the wall and a DVD for the school nurse to instruct staff.  Does your school carry epinephrine autoinjectors?  What about that undiagnosed 4k student who goes into fatal anaphylaxis in 1-15 minutes after eating a suspect allergen?  I’ve heard stories of students dying in the cafeteria because they weren’t diagnosed or their epinephrine was in the office in a locked cabinet.  Our son Dillon was unconscious in 10 TEN minutes.  Heed this warning so that you are never ever in our shoes.  Good Job Reedsville School District for protecting your students, staff and visitors!!

New Frankin Wi. Fire Dept. was trained by Angel Mueller and her husband George last winter. They also supplied the Fire Department with their very own epinephrine autoinjectors to use in the event of an emergency.

Yesterday a call came in that a male was having labored breathing after being stung by a bee. A member of the fire department quickly arrived at the scene and administered the epinephrine autoinjector just as he was trained to do and within minutes the gentleman was feeling much better. Observation was given at a local hospital until it was safe for him to return home. Dillons life wasn’t saved but because of the efforts and determination of his parents these families can enjoy their loved one.

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