During a Thanksgiving vacation in Maine, 11-year-old Oakley Debbs, a straight-A student and talented athlete from West Palm Beach, Florida, experienced a tragedy that would change his family’s life forever. Despite living with asthma and food allergies, Oakley excelled in sports like tennis, football, and soccer, even running marathons. His family described him as a “brave and strong warrior” in managing his health conditions.

On November 24, Oakley and his family were staying in Maine when they ordered a Thanksgiving basket, which included a variety of treats. Oakley, eager to enjoy the holiday, picked a piece of pound cake from the selection on the kitchen table. He always checked labels to ensure his food was safe, but that day, he didn’t see any signs indicating the presence of nuts.

“He thought it was just a piece of cake,” said his father, Robert Debbs. After Oakley ate the cake, he came over to his parents and expressed concern that it might have contained nuts. His mother, Merrill Debbs, tasted the cake and recognized a nutty flavor, which was later confirmed to be walnut.

Following their usual routine for such situations, Merrill gave Oakley Benadryl. Initially, Oakley seemed fine, with only a small hive appearing on his lip. But soon after, he began to complain of chest pains and started vomiting. His parents immediately called 911. When the ambulance arrived 10 minutes later, Oakley had already turned blue. His airways had closed, and his heart had stopped beating.

The family’s life was suddenly devastated. In the days that followed, they struggled to come to terms with the loss of their vibrant, energetic son. Merrill expressed her heartbreak: “I don’t think my beautiful, amazing, talented, adorable son should have passed away.”

In Oakley’s memory, his family created the Red Sneaker Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about food allergies and the life-threatening reactions that can result from them. Oakley had loved his red sneakers, so the family adopted them as a symbol for their foundation, which educates communities about anaphylaxis, the severe allergic reaction that led to Oakley’s death.

The foundation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the symptoms of anaphylaxis and responding quickly. If there are any signs of an allergic reaction, even mild ones, experts recommend administering epinephrine immediately to prevent a potentially fatal outcome.

Oakley’s mother, Merrill, spoke of her son’s lasting impact: “The child of mine, he was a rock star, he was a good, good kid. And always in my heart of hearts, I knew that he would make a difference in his life – I just didn’t know it would be after he passed away.” Oakley’s legacy lives on through the foundation, as the Debbs family continues to advocate for better awareness and education about food allergies.

Through the Red Sneaker Foundation, Oakley’s parents are committed to ensuring that others do not experience the same heartbreak. The organization offers resources and training on how to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, helping families and communities protect children from potentially fatal allergic incidents. They hope to prevent another tragedy like Oakley’s, ensuring that more people understand the seriousness of food allergies and the vital need for prompt action in the event of a reaction.

The family’s story has touched many hearts, and they continue to spread Oakley’s message in the hopes of saving lives. As they share their heartbreaking experience, they hope to inspire greater vigilance in managing food allergies. Oakley’s tragic death, though devastating, has become the driving force behind a movement that aims to change lives for the better.

Please share Oakley’s story and help raise awareness about the dangers of food allergies. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no other family has to endure the same loss.