Jocelyn, 14, Vista da Montanha

Jocelyn is a bright, talented young woman who loves dogs, making sweet treats, and is an incredibly gifted artist—she recently released her first graphic novel!   

Diagnosed as a toddler with severe nut allergies after she had a reaction to a pistachio, Jocelyn learned early to avoid her allergens for fear that an exposure could cause her to swell, vomit, and potentially have difficulty breathing.   

Her mom, Audrey, was concerned about Jocelyn’s future, especially a future where she might want to go away to college or travel. As is common with parents of children with allergies, Audrey was anxious about the prospect of her child having an allergic reaction far from home. She learned about a clinical trial taking place at the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University that could desensitize Jocelyn to her allergens. Jocelyn was nervous but faced her fear by taking the first step toward a brighter future.  

“My nut allergies were always a big part of my life,” Jocelyn says. “I really wanted to not have to worry about it anymore. I was 11 years old when I first visited the clinic.”  

Our Allergy Center is renowned for its ground-breaking treatments for children and adults.   

Jocelyn was enrolled in a clinical trial, and for over a year she and her parents would take trips every other week to Stanford where she would receive oral immunotherapy treatments, injections, and small doses of her allergens. Periodically, she would visit the clinic twice in one week for a “food challenge,” where Allergy Center team members would give her increasing amounts of her allergen dosage.   

“Jocelyn was such a great participant for the study,” says Kristine Martinez, NCPT, CPT-1, clinical research manager at the Allergy Center. “Every time she came in, she had fantastic questions for her care team and was curious about the process. Jocelyn would work on her art pieces while completing her visits that lasted multiple hours, and we each had tokens to take home from her! It was such a delight to see a difference from where she started in her trial journey, to completing the study and consuming foods she never thought she would be able to!”

It was difficult, but after a year the progress was amazing: Jocelyn can now eat two peanuts, two cashews, and two walnuts daily without reaction. The allergy still exists, but accidental exposures no longer hold the same threat to Jocelyn’s health. Last summer, Jocelyn and her family took a European cruise. The trip was full of adventure and fun, without the fear of allergen exposure. 

“The clinical trial was life-changing,” Audrey says. “It has been life-changing for her, and life-changing for me. I feel so much relief.”   

In addition to relief, Jocelyn also feels excited about new opportunities: “I love eating Peanut M&Ms and my dad makes these candied walnuts that I can now eat. I never knew that nuts could taste that good!”  

Jocelyn’s book, Conquering Allergies, features digitally created illustrations of her journey through the clinical trial, aimed at helping other patients navigate a potentially overwhelming time. Some of her care team members even make an appearance! Proceeds from the book are donated back to support research at the Allergy Center.  

 This year, Jocelyn will be honored as a Summer Scamper Patient Hero at the 5k, Kids’ Fun Run, and Family Festival on Saturday, June 21. Her voice will inspire kids like her and raise awareness about food allergies. She is excited about the future and remains hopeful that her efforts will contribute to finding a cure for others with similar conditions. Jocelyn’s story is a reminder that with perseverance, creativity, and support, we can accomplish great things. Thank you for giving Jocelyn an opportunity to live free from the fear of her allergens!