There are moments in life that change you forever—moments so painful that they leave an imprint on your soul, shaping everything that comes after. The loss of my son, Elijah-Alavi, was that moment for me. His life was tragically cut short due to a preventable food allergy reaction at a daycare center in NYC. That loss still haunts me. I carry it with me every single day. But from that unimaginable grief, Elijah’s mother and I made a decision, to turn our pain into purpose, to ensure no other family would have to live through what we’ve endured.
This journey has been one of the hardest things we’ve ever faced. Every step forward is filled with the ache of what could have been—of the life Elijah should have lived. But that pain drives us, fueling our mission. Let begin with, Elijah’s Law, which now mandates critical food allergy safety protocols in New York State child care centers, was the first victory. It stands as a testament to Elijah’s life, a legacy of protection for children who face life-threatening food allergies every day.
But Elijah’s Law is just the beginning. At the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, we are committed to much more than just food allergy awareness. We know that children with asthma, celiac disease, alpha-gal syndrome, eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), and food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) deserve the same level of protection and care. These conditions may be invisible, but they are no less dangerous. Our work now extends beyond what started in New York, as we advocate for stronger legislation, raise awareness, and educate communities on the importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable.
We’ve taken our fight to the national stage, working relentlessly to ensure that the protections provided by Elijah’s Law are extended to children everywhere. This is not just about one child or one family, this is about every child who is at risk, every parent who lives in fear that something preventable could take their child away. And yet, despite everything we’ve accomplished in these 7 years, the pain of losing Elijah never goes away. Every time I speak his name, every time we push for another law or raise awareness, that loss is there. It doesn’t get easier. But the work is too important to stop. We fight because it’s necessary. We fight because our children deserve to be safe. We fight because we refuse to let Elijah’s death be in vain.
At the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, we are here not only to advocate but to stand with those who need support. If your organization or community is working toward creating a safer world for children who face these challenges, we are ready to stand with you. We are here to support you, to collaborate, to fight alongside you. Together, we can create a future where no child is lost to preventable food allergy reactions, asthma attacks, or complications from these life-threatening conditions.
This mission isn’t just ours, it belongs to everyone who believes in protecting the vulnerable. And I know we can do it. We can build a future where safety, awareness, and protection are not just goals but guarantees.
No parent should ever have to feel the weight of losing a child to something preventable. That is the reality I live with every day, and it’s a reality I wouldn’t wish on anyone. So we’ve made it our mission, our life’s work, to ensure that no other family has to stand where we stand. If you need our help, if you need our support, we are here. The soapbox is big enough for all of us, and together, we can make sure this world is safer for our children.
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