Dominique Brown, a Disney theme park enthusiast and influencer, passed away Thursday, Dec. 5. Brown suffered a severe allergic reaction at a holiday event in Los Angeles hosted by BoxLunch.
The 34-year-old was known for her love of Disney and co-founding Black Girl Disney. She reportedly had a severe peanut allergy and, according to reports, event staff assured Brown that the food she was consuming did not contain peanuts.
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The San Francisco Gate reported that Brown began feeling ill immediately after eating. Event attendees performed CPR as 911 was called. Despite emergency efforts, Brown later died.
BoxLunch released a statement to Us Weekly addressing the tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time,” BoxLunch said in the statement.
Brown’s brother, Patrick Ramos, expressed his gratitude in a comment on her final Instagram post. He thanked the Disney community for bringing Brown so much joy and her fans for their continued support.
What to do during a severe allergic reaction
Severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, are life-threatening and require immediate action. According to the American Red Cross, common triggers include but are not limited to foods, insect stings and certain medications.
Be aware of these warning signs:
- Swelling of the face, neck, tongue or lips.
- Trouble breathing.
- Skin rash or hives.
- Changes in responsiveness.
- Signs of shock.
If someone is experiencing anaphylaxis:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Check if the person has an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen. Assist with or administer it if trained.
- Firmly hold the injector in the outer thigh for three seconds. Massage the injection site afterward.
- If symptoms persist after 5–10 minutes and help hasn’t arrived, administer a second dose if available.
It is important to avoid giving the person anything to drink and remember that antihistamines, like Benadryl, are not enough to treat severe allergic reactions.
