Food Allergy Buddies Program
The Food Allergy Center at Mass General for Children is excited to be continuing the Food Allergy Buddies Program during the 2024-2025 year! This mentorship program fosters a supportive community by grouping high-school-age mentors (Bigs) with elementary-school-age (Littles) and middle-school-age children (Middles) who have food allergies.
Program Goals
The mission of the Food Allergy Buddies Program is to build a positive and supportive community for children, teens, and their families, promote self-efficacy, support quality of life, and reinforce self-respect and safety.
Program Details
T-shirt decorating is underway!
Dr. Mike leads a parent session in the park!
How to Join
Big Buddies will need to ask someone to fill in a character reference form.
Questions? Want to learn more about the program? Please email us at foodallergybuddies@mgh.harvard.edu.
Upcoming Events
Scavenger Hunt at the Museum of Science
Join us for our next event at the Museum of Science, where the theme will be "Ready to Rise" and we will focus on rising to the challenge of taking on more responsibilities and taking initiatives!
- When: Sunday June 1, 2025 1:00pm-3:30pm
- Bigs and Middles should plan to arrive at 12:30pm
- Littles should plan to arrive at 1:00pm
- Where: Museum of Science 1 Science Pk, Boston, MA 02114
In the News
Article: Buddying Up to Help Kids Manage Food Allergies
Article: Food Allergy Buddies brings families together for allergy-friendly fun
Meet the Team
Dr. Michael Pistiner, Pediatric Allergist
Dr. Mike is the Director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention at Mass General for Children, Food Allergy Center. He is the father of a 21-year-old with food allergies and actively engaged in patient, family and community food allergy education and advocacy. He has particular interest in the impact of mentorship and community on school age children with food allergy.
Vivian Liu
Vivian Liu is a pediatrics resident at MGfC with a keen interest in Allergy. She grew up with (and continues to have) many food allergies in addition to other atopic diseases including eczema and asthma, which is her primary motivating reason to go into the field of Allergy. The opportunity to connect with people and discuss shared experiences is something she seeks, and what better way to start doing that than through the Buddies program! Outside of work she enjoys yoga, going on long outdoor walks, and planning short weekend getaway trips.
Maeve Clifford
Maeve began volunteering with the Buddies Program as an Activity Coordinator during the 2023-2024 year. She has been working as a Clinical Research Coordinator with the Food Allergy Center at MGH since May 2023, following her graduation from Stonehill College where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry and Psychology. She loves working with kids and wants to help foster a sense of community among children with food allergies. Having food allergies herself, she hopes to one day become a pediatric allergist! Outside of work, her hobbies include sailing, baking, and spending time with friends. Maeve is very excited to be part of the Food Allergy Buddies Program!
Isabela Haskell
This is Isabela's first year volunteering with the Food Allergy Buddies Program. Since graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 2023, she has been working as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Stephen Liberles at Harvard Medical School studying cardiovascular regulation by the sensory nervous system. Having grown up with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame seeds, she has long been fascinated by food allergies and other atopic diseases. She is very excited for the opportunity to work with the Food Allergy Buddies Program to provide community and empowerment to children with food allergies! In her free time, Isabela enjoys taking ballet classes, reading and exploring Boston with friends.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to the Food Allergy Buddies Parent Advisory Committee for their energy, effort, and time!
Thank you to our donors:
- DBV Technologies
- Food Allergy Buddies Family Donors
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Your generosity helps us to continue to provide programming for our food allergy community!
Support the Food Allergy Buddies Program
This mentorship program fosters a supportive community by grouping high-school-age mentors (Bigs) with elementary-school-age (Littles) and middle-school-age children (Middles) who have food allergies.