'It's that serious': Family turns pain into purpose after losing daughter to peanut allergy; holds lifesaving training course

CBS 58

WATERTOWN, Wis (CBS 58) — On Wednesday, Maranatha Baptist University held an anaphylaxis or life-threatening allergy training course.

One year ago this week, 19-year-old Hannah Glass ate a brownie that contained peanut flour. She had a severe allergic reaction and died after her lung collapsed.

Now, her parents are on a mission to make sure everyone knows just how easy it is to save a life.

"She really tried to make your day. She was always smiling, always happy," said Alisabeth Harrison, Hannah Glass' friend.

It's a quiet day on campus at Maranatha Baptist University as students and staff remember Hannah.

"We were good friends and we had plans. We were walking and talking about plans for the next month, and it was that same night she had the reaction," said Harrison.

In honor of Hannah, 25 students, staff and dorm leaders gathered to learn how to recognize severe allergy symptoms.

"We are here at the school that she went to, at the school she dreamed of being at, as they become the first college campus in the state, and possibly in the country, to take anaphylaxis allergies seriously," said David Glass, Hannah Glass' dad.

The group learned how to use different types of epinephrine, like an EPIPEN.

"It's so simple that a 10-year-old can be trained to recognize the symptoms and administer epinephrine," Glass explained.

Glass says Hannah had an EPIPEN, but they say it wasn't administered soon enough. He says if you're having symptoms, it's betterto be safe than sorry.

"It's that serious. This could save your life, why would you take the risk," said Glass.

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