MEMORIAL RESIDENTS LEAH AND BRICE SIMPSONSON’S
Memorial Residents Leah and Brice Simpson’s journey as parents has been anything but typical. Their son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies at just six months old, when a seemingly innocent serving of yogurt led to an emergency trip to Texas Children’s Hospital. What followed was the discovery that Benjamin was allergic to not just dairy, but also eggs, cashews, and pistachios. “We were terrified,” recalls Leah. “We did not know what was happening, and we certainly did not know how to keep him safe. The constant vigilance was overwhelming.” For years, the Simpsons lived in constant fear of Benjamin’s next reaction, navigating the world with EpiPens in hand, scrutinizing every food label, and bringing their own food to every birthday party. “It was exhausting, but it became our new normal,” Brice adds.
The early years were filled with anxiety and heartache, but the family found hope through oral immunotherapy (OIT), one of many innovative therapies researched through Texas Children’s Food Allergy Program. The therapy provided the Simpsons with hope and a path forward. “After several years of OIT, there is a profound relief and gratitude seeing Benjamin live a life where accidental exposures aren’t as scary, and he can enjoy things like sleepaway camp,” says Leah.
To support others on similar journeys, Leah and Brice are chairing the 8th Annual Cooking Up a Cure, presented by Scotiabank, on February 19, 2026, at The Revaire. Guests will enjoy a vibrant culinary experience spotlighting Houston’s top chefs and restaurants. This event supports research and exceptional care for patients in the Department of Allergy and Immunology at Texas Children’s, led by Dr. Lisa Forbes Satter.
Tickets for Cooking Up a Cure start at $175. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit texaschildrens.org/cooking or contact cooking@texaschildrens.org
