How NFL Veteran Jason McCourty is Making Halloween Safer for Kids with Food Allergies

For many families, Halloween is filled with joy and anticipation. But for families managing food allergies, this festive holiday can be a minefield. Former NFL player Jason McCourty knows this struggle all too well. After his daughter experienced a severe allergic reaction, McCourty became a dedicated advocate for raising awareness about food allergies, particularly during Halloween. Today, he is a spokesperson for the Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative by the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), aimed at making Halloween safe and inclusive for the 5.6 million children in the U.S. living with potentially life-threatening food allergies. In partnership with CVS Pharmacy, McCourty and the Teal Pumpkin Project aim to change how Halloween is celebrated. Together, they’re helping families feel more included and less fearful of allergen exposure. The Story Behind McCourty’s Advocacy McCourty’s journey with food allergies began seven years ago when his youngest daughter experienced a severe allergic reaction.  “I was ignorant toward food allergies and the severity of it before learning my youngest of three suffered from it. I can remember her as a baby just being miserable and as parents not understanding why,” McCourty tells BlackDoctor.org. After learning more about his daughter’s allergens, McCourty became increasingly...