It was Thanksgiving in Maine, and 11-year-old Oakley Debbs was enjoying the holiday with his family. A straight-A student from West Palm Beach, Florida, Oakley was also a gifted athlete, excelling in tennis, football, soccer, and marathon running. Despite battling asthma and nut allergies, he lived life with determination and energy, earning admiration from those around him. On that fateful day, Oakley reached for a piece of pound cake from a Thanksgiving basket his family had ordered, unaware of the tragedy that was about to unfold.
Oakley had always been vigilant about his allergies, carefully checking food labels before eating. However, this time, he believed the cake was safe. After taking a bite, he suspected it might contain nuts and alerted his mother, Merrill. She confirmed his suspicion after tasting the cake, identifying a walnut flavor. Oakley’s parents administered Benadryl as a precaution, and initially, his symptoms seemed mild—a single hive on his lip and a report that he felt fine.
Shortly after, Oakley’s condition took a sudden and devastating turn. He began experiencing chest pains and vomiting, prompting his parents to call 911. Despite their swift response, Oakley’s condition worsened. By the time the ambulance arrived just ten minutes later, he had turned blue—his airways had closed, and his heart had stopped. Efforts to save him were unsuccessful, leaving his family in shock and grief.
In the wake of their unimaginable loss, Oakley’s family sought to honor his memory and raise awareness about the dangers of food allergies. They established the Red Sneaker Foundation, named after Oakley’s favorite shoes, as a symbol of their mission. The foundation focuses on educating communities about recognizing and responding to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, and emphasizes the importance of using epinephrine at the first signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Oakley’s parents, Robert and Merrill, and his twin sister, Olivia, continue to advocate for food allergy awareness in his honor. “He was a rock star and a good, good kid,” said Merrill. “I always knew he would make a difference in the world—I just didn’t expect it to be after his passing.” By sharing their story, the family hopes to prevent similar tragedies and ensure Oakley’s legacy inspires change. Please share this story to spread awareness and protect others with food allergies.
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