About Us
Allergy Life Australia is a national non-profit DGR-registered charity organisation dedicated to supporting, advocating and empowering Australians living with allergies.
As a national support organisation, we help all Australians with all types of allergies, by providing free, needs-based programs and initiatives to Children, Families, Youth and Adults living with allergies in Australia.
We are a community-run, community-funded and independent charity organisation.
Our Mission
Allergies matter; they can be the difference between a day spent doing everyday activities or a day spent in the back of an ambulance or at a hospital.
Australia has been labelled as the ‘Allergy capital of the world’, where 20% of Australians have allergies. Allergies are amongst the fastest-growing chronic conditions in Australia, and you either have allergies or know someone who does.
Allergy Life Australia's mission is to make support, awareness, empowerment and health innovation a priority by developing community-driven programs and initiatives to connect and enable positive health outcomes for Australians with allergies to live safer and happier allergy lives.
We support Australians who have allergies, and those who care for them.
Our Team
At Allergy Life Australia, we are a part of the allergy community, where we either have allergies or care for someone who does.
We are community-driven, led and guided by our Founders and our Committees who have experience in living, supporting and working with allergies. We are also supported by our incredible volunteers across Australia.
We all want to help others living with allergies and use our own experiences and expertise to passionately work together to make a big difference for the Australian allergy community.
Grace Canning (she/her)
Co-Founder
BBus, Dip. Gov, FICDA
Grace is Anaphylactic and has Asthma, Eczema and Allergic Rhinitis (Hayfever). Grace has lived with severe allergies as a Child, Teenager and Adult. Grace has 26 allergies and has been hospitalised with eczema, asthma and anaphylaxis due to her allergies. The allergies that Grace deals with the biggest day-to-day are her Food allergies (Cashews, Pistachios, Crustaceans, Molluscs), Dust Mite allergies and Pets/Animals allergies. Grace also lives with allergies to certain Metals, Pollen, Insects and Mould.
Grace has a professional background of ten years in Community Engagement, Non-Profit, Governance and Health Promotion.
Grace is called upon to be a guest speaker for Allergy Life Australia at schools, universities and organisations, to raise allergy awareness, share her story, conduct workshops and empower others with allergies to let them know that there is support for them and that they are not alone.
Melrick Dias (he/him)
Co-Founder
BCom, MMktg, MICDA, MAICD
Melrick has Allergic Rhinitis (Hayfever), Eczema and OAS (Oral Allergy Syndrome). Melrick has lived with allergies as a Child, Teenager and Adult. Melrick has allergies to Pollen, Dust Mites, Pets/Animals, and certain fruits and vegetables.
Melrick has a professional background of fifteen years in Digital Innovation, Health Promotion, Leadership and Non-Profit.
Melrick leads the technology and digital innovation for Allergy Life Australia to drive better health outcomes, bringing his experience and expertise in Australian healthcare systems and digital platforms to develop modern innovations to help people with allergies.
Our Values
Allergy Life Australia will always uphold, present and apply the following values-
Commitment
Passion
Diversity
Authenticity
Acceptance
Happiness
Our Impact
Our impact is Australia-wide, online and face-to-face. We are there for the Australian allergy community, raising awareness for them, supporting them and empowering them to have a voice, be included in the conversation and know they are not alone in managing their allergies.
Acknowledgement of Country
Allergy Life Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which we operate, and we pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Inclusivity Statement
Allergy Life Australia is dedicated to inclusivity, embraces diversity, and welcomes people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities. We are inclusive of anyone that has or is living with someone that has intolerances and/or autoimmune conditions that share similar symptoms and day-to-day challenges with allergies.
"Together we can all live a Safer and Happier Allergy Life"
OUR INITIATIVES
Allergy Life Australia is currently undertaking a number of on-going initiatives to improve and support the lives and lifestyles of Australians living with allergies, the people who look after them and the people that live with them
DISCOVER
Discover the tailored possibilities for your Allergy Life. Discover Allergy Friendly Venues that cater for you to Eat & Drink at, Discover Shared Allergy Support and more.
DONATE
Allergy Life Australia is a national non-profit DGR-registered charity organisation. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.
The information provided on Allergy Life Australia is to generally educate and inform you about living with allergies, intolerances and conditions, and is not intended as medical instruction or as a substitute for diagnosis, examination and advice by a qualified health care provider.