In a tragic, unintended lesson, Christina Desforges taught the world how dangerous food allergies can be. The 15-year-old from Quebec died in November after kissing a boy who had eaten a peanut butter sandwich hours earlier.

The cause of death: an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Christina's death, unimaginable for most, is an example of the everyday threat faced by those who have severe food allergies. For parents of children with such allergies, an unguarded moment -- such as food left within reach of young children -- is a potential disaster.

"To us, it's like a loaded gun sitting on the coffee table," said Gina Clowes, of Cranberry.

Mrs. Clowes, whose 5-year-old son has food allergies, is volunteer marketing director and spokeswoman for Kids with Food Allergies, a nonprofit online support organization for parents like herself.

For unknown reasons, food allergies among children are on the rise. Likewise, interest in the Kids with Food Allergies support group is growing.

In December, People magazine published an article about food allergies that included comments from Mrs. Clowes.

She became involved with the support group in March, one month after it was founded as a volunteer-run organization. Although other information was available online, Mrs. Clowes said the Kids with Food Allergies site -- www.kidswith-foodallergies.org -- provided an opportunity for parents to help one another.

"Our organization is focused on practical, everyday support. When you get home from the doctor's and you've been told your child has a life-threatening food allergy, you're just hit with a ton of bricks," Mrs. Clowes said.

Although some Web sites offer information such as health tips and recommended reading, parents often have more immediate needs.

"You don't want to just order a book online, you want to talk to someone right away," she said.

The Web site offers an online message board and chat rooms, where parents can post questions and get immediate feedback. It also includes a searchable recipe database for parents who want to, for example, make cookies without using eggs, nuts, wheat, or milk, which are among the most common food allergens.

Daniel was diagnosed at 18 months with more than two dozen food allergies. The family has had to adapt.

Due to Daniel's medical condition, Mrs. Clowes said, her family never eats out.

"He has so many allergies I don't know what we'd order," she said.

Cooking for a family when one or more members have food allergies can be an unending challenge. Mrs. Clowes, who said she has never enjoyed cooking, now carefully plans and prepares every meal. For example, when she makes spaghetti sauce, she uses two pots: one for Daniel's sauce and one for the rest of the family's. The pots have to be stirred with separate spoons because cross contamination can bring on an allergic reaction. If Daniel even touches wheat flour, he will have a reaction.

His food is kept in a separate cabinet that is labeled "Daniel safe." In the refrigerator, too, all of Daniel's foods are labeled.

Tips like these are the kinds of information shared by people who have found ways to manage the challenges of food allergies. In addition to promoting the online sharing, Mrs. Clowes leads a support group that meets in Cranberry, usually every other month.

She has learned that communicating with others can help parents develop the strength they need to deal with life-threatening allergies. A positive attitude also is essential.

Her simple advice to others coping with food allergies: "You have to shift your focus from all the things they can't have to all the things they can have. Then you can have a normal life."

The Web site for Kids With Food Allergies is www.kidwithfoodallergies.org. For more information about the group, e-mail Gina Clowes at gclowes@kidswithfoodallergies.org.