In 2025, Allergy & Asthma Network marks four decades of impactful contributions in patient education, advocacy and research, dedicated to improving the lives for the 100+ million people living with asthma, allergies and related conditions.
Celebrating 40 Years of Impact and Serving as the Patient Voice
For 40 years, this leading nonprofit has advanced the patient voice and promoted patient-centered asthma and allergy care nationwide. To celebrate the milestone, Allergy & Asthma Network is launching a multi-faceted campaign to spotlight its historic accomplishments, impactful programs and leadership. The organization will host a series of events and initiatives throughout the year, including:
Allergy & Asthma Network was founded in 1985 as a mother’s response to the pressing need to raise awareness of asthma and allergies. From her kitchen table, founder Nancy Sander provided practical information and inspiration to help patients and parents better manage these conditions. Her mission: break the cycle of emergency department visits and missed school and workdays.
Allergy & Asthma Network soon became the leading voice for people living with asthma and allergies, evolving into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a nationwide reach.
“Today, millions of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers seek out Allergy & Asthma Network to better understand how to successfully manage and treat asthma and allergies. As we revisit our past, we reaffirm our commitment to serve as a trusted, valuable resource and embrace new advancements that enhance healthcare for all.”
– Dennis Williams, PharmD, Chair, Board of Directors
Since its founding, Allergy & Asthma Network has advocated for patient rights and patient-centered care. The organization promotes better health outcomes through the adoption of guidelines-based care, from diagnosis to treatment. This has led to critical advancements for the asthma and allergy community, including:
Greater awareness and understanding of how asthma and allergies occur and are diagnosed, managed and treated.
Development of national asthma and food allergy guidelines for treatment.
Development of innovative and life-changing medications.
New laws that expand access to care, protect schoolchildren with asthma and food allergies at school, and make medications more affordable.
Groundbreaking research that reflects patient needs, values and preferences, and promises a better future for people with these diseases.
Throughout its 40th year, Allergy & Asthma Network spotlights its key milestones, impact and success stories. Learn about our legacy and how you can help shape the future of asthma and allergy care.
“Our 40th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come. It’s also an opportunity to reinforce our vision for a future where patients work together with their doctors to make informed decisions about their healthcare and have access to the treatments they need to live full and healthy lives. We are dedicated to forging a brighter future as we strive for the highest standard of care for all people.”
– Lynda Mitchell, CEO
Be a Part of History with Allergy & Asthma Network
Since its founding in 1985, Allergy & Asthma Network has thrived thanks to the passion and dedication of volunteers and donors who transformed lives and strengthened communities.
Together, we can build a future where asthma, allergies, and related conditions no longer hold anyone back but instead serve as a source of resilience and inspiration. Join our mission to empower patients and families to live their fullest lives.
Education is more than a cornerstone for Allergy & Asthma Network – it’s at the heart of support for patients and families. For 40 years, the Network has been dedicated…
40 Years
of historic change in asthma and allergy care … and howAllergy & Asthma Network served as the patient voice
1985
Mothers of Asthmatics is born
While seeking treatment for her daughter’s severe asthma and allergies, Nancy Sander establishes a nonprofit and writes the first Mothers of Asthmatics (M.A.) Report newsletter to help parents going through similar struggles. In 1 year, the newsletter would reach people in 37 states and 5 countries.
1989-1992
Speaking out for patients
Nancy Sander is invited to be a founding member of the Coordinating Committee developing National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.
1993
Grassroots network
Mothers of Asthmatics becomes Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) and builds a national network of community volunteers.
1994 -1995
Emerging in advocacy
AANMA serves on a stakeholder group to ban ozone-depleting CFC propellants used in asthma inhalers and speaks out against an FDA proposal to make asthma medications available without a prescription.
1998
Raising awareness in Congress
Responding to dramatic increases in asthma prevalence and deaths, AANMA stages its first Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill. It would later become known as Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill, or AADCH.
1999-2001
Patient education
AANMA expands its patient education resources with Allergy & Asthma Health magazine (it would become Allergy & Asthma Today in 2003) and the Breatherville website, offering patients practical, accessible, engaging information and support.
2002
Hispanic outreach
AANMA launches a Spanish-language help-line and series of publications.
2003
Protecting patients’ rights
AANMA works with Congress to introduce the ASTHMA Act, legislation that would lead to laws in all 50 states guaranteeing students the right to carry and use prescribed asthma and epinephrine medications at school. (ASTHMA Act became law in 2004.)
2005
Poster People
Allergy & Asthma Network launches its popular poster series showcasing asthma and allergy medications. Doctors used the posters to work together with patients to identify and explain medications. Today, Allergy & Asthma Network posters include Respiratory Treatments, Epinephrine Treatments and Anaphylaxis at a Glance.
2010
Bipartisan support
AANMA works with Congress to establish the first Congressional Allergy & Asthma Caucus.
2011 -2013
Focus on food allergy
AANMA joins the expert panel putting together National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergies in the U.S.
2013
Safety at school
The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act is signed into law, allowing schools to stock and administer epinephrine. All 50 states have passed stock epinephrine laws as well.
2013 -2014
Embracing Change
Founder and President Nancy Sander retires after 28 years of leadership. Tonya Winders is named President and CEO. The organization is rebranded as Allergy & Asthma Network.
2015
USAsthma Summit
Allergy & Asthma Network partners with ACAAI to host the first USAsthma Summit to share guidelines-based care, medical innovations and best practices with people on the front lines of care.
2016
OPEN Asthma
Expanding into research, the Observations of Patient Experience in the Nation (OPEN) Asthma Survey revealed many people who believe their asthma is under control still experience persistent symptoms.
2018 -2019
New Partnerships
The Network joins forces with the Severe Asthma Foundation and Not One More Life and partners with ACAAI and CHEST Foundation to develop shared Decision-making tools for doctors and patients.
2020
Going Global
Allergy & Asthma Network becomes the first patient advocate member of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to help shape strategies for asthma care around the world.
Post-COVID response
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Allergy & Asthma Network launches Trusted Messengers to address disparities in care for under-resourced communities. The Network hosted community events nationwide, the first at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, to screen people for COVID-19, asthma and allergies, offer vaccinations, and provide resources and referrals.
2021
Virtual Conferences
Allergy & Asthma Network receives a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) award to host a series of virtual conferences for Black and Hispanic/Latino communities living with COVID-19, asthma, food allergies and eczema.
School Success
The School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program (SAMPRO) Act becomes law, allowing schools to implement asthma and allergy management programs. Allergy & Asthma Network was instrumental in pushing this legislation to the finish line.
2023
New Leadership
Lynda Mitchell is appointed by the Board of Directors as CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network.
