By Thira Christianson
Ellen Joy and Hannah G. have never gone out for ice cream or pizza with their family. Some people might think they are missing out. But Ellen Joy, 9, and Hannah, 6, who have severe food allergies, find many other great things to do with their family and friends.
Hannah is allergic to milk, soy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat. Ellen Joy is allergic to milk.
The girls both participate in research studies at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. These studies are helping doctors find ways to help other people with their food allergies. When Hannah was five she chose to be a part of an egg allergy study. She told her mom, "I want to do this study to help others with food allergies even if it does not help me!" Ellen Joy started participating a month later in a milk allergy study.