Allergy and Me (Alergija I Ja)
The National Association for Help and Support for People with Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Other Autoimmune Diseases with Restrictions in Diet – "Allergy and Me" is a non-profit organization located in Serbia with the main goal of supporting patients in finding answers to their disease-specific questions as quickly and efficiently as possible.
For their Member Impact Project, the organization launched a new digital telemedicine project called "Allergy Counseling", with the support of the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP).
A brand new platform was designed and launched on their website which already accounts for a large number of visits, not only from Serbia, but from surrounding countries. Due to the pandemic, their site doubled in the number of visitors, from 25,000 to 50, 000.
Through this platform, patients have the ability to access and communicate with the doctors (specialists in dermatology, immunology, pediatrics, pulmonology etc.) in a simple, safe and effective way.
The GlobalSkin Member Impact Fund was also used to aid in the promotion of the "Allergy Counseling" project.
Promotions took place through the Allergy and Me website, and social networks (with an audience of over 25,000 followers).
Their marketing strategy included:
- External communications through networks that included at least ten bloggers and influencers through Social media platforms.
- Distribution of printed materials (informational pamphlets distributed in Clinics all over Serbia)
- Print media promotion
- Media appearances on three television shows
The goal was to reach as large of an audience as possible, as many patients lack medical counseling due to, either a shortage of specialists in their area or the COVID-19 crisis.
Along with the promotion of the project, Allergy and Me also concentrated on promoting the importance of diagnostics procedures and standards in atopic disease treatment as well as encouraging an interdisciplinary approach to atopy.
"We are very proud that our organization, despite challenges, managed to organize a free Allergy Counseling for patients and be their biggest support, as an extended hand in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic diseases. Also, with this project, we managed to be more in the media than usual, and in that way, we develop the awareness of atopic eczema and other atopic diseases and put our association on more stable ground."
- Snezana Šundić-Vardić, patient leader
Patient Testimonial:
"We entered the vicious circle of atopic dermatitis and allergies with the birth of another child, even in the maternity hospital, a problem was shown which manifested itself by peeling the skin all over the body. A good dermatologist was crucial in the beginning and I heard from her for the first time that she was not only a problem on her skin but she mentioned an allergy to trees. Honestly, for the first year I was just looking to relieve the child and I lived with the mantra it was transient, and then the first anaphylactic reaction happened that completely threw me to my knees. Unfortunately, a lot has been left, ie. left to the parents to manage as they know and can and to look for solutions on their own. Thanks to the Allergy Counseling Center, we received the right instructions and directives for further treatment and prevention, and that was very important to us because we could not go to the doctor's office during the pandemic. Our Association "Allergy and Me" have helped us a lot and I am grateful to be part of such a community."
- Tijana Stupljanin, patient
