It was Thanksgiving in Maine when tragedy struck the Debbs family. Oakley Debbs, an 11-year-old boy from West Palm Beach, Florida, was enjoying a vacation with his loved ones. Oakley, a gifted student and star athlete, had always battled with asthma and food allergies, but that didn’t stop him from excelling in sports and academics.
The family had ordered a Thanksgiving basket for their celebration. While browsing through the selection of treats, Oakley decided to have a piece of cake. Little did anyone know, this innocent decision would lead to a heartbreaking turn of events and serve as a catalyst for a campaign to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Oakley was passionate about tennis, football, and soccer. He even participated in marathons, despite his asthma and nut allergies. His family lovingly referred to him as a “brave and strong warrior” for his resilience in battling these diseases.
On November 24, Oakley seized an opportunity to enjoy a piece of pound cake that had been left on the kitchen table. His mom, Merrill Debbs, stated that Oakley always checked food labels before eating anything and didn’t see any signs of nuts. “He thought it was just a piece of cake,” said his father, Robert Debbs. However, after taking a bite, he suspected it might contain nuts. Merrill tried some and agreed it had a nutty flavor, later determined to be walnut.
“Like always, Merrill gave him Benadryl pills,” explained Robert. “And he said he felt fine.” At that point, the only symptom Oakley experienced was a single hive on his lip.
But shortly after, Oakley complained of chest pains and began vomiting. His parents immediately called 911. However, by the time the ambulance arrived, Oakley’s lips had turned blue, his airways had closed, and his heart had ceased to beat.
The family was left shattered and desperately sought answers as to why Oakley couldn’t be saved. “I can’t believe my beautiful, amazing, talented, adorable son had to pass away,” lamented Merrill.
In memory of Oakley, his family established the Red Sneaker Foundation, which aims to educate people on recognizing the signs of anaphylaxis—a life-threatening reaction to allergens that affects multiple organs. As a symbol of their cause, they chose the red sneakers that Oakley loved to wear, intending to raise awareness and promote education among communities of people with food allergies.
Experts stress the importance of taking prompt action even in cases of mild allergic reactions. The drug epinephrine should be used immediately.
“My child was a rock star, a good, good kid,” Merrill reminisced. “Deep down, I always knew he would make a difference in his life—I just never imagined it would be after he passed away. That’s what drives me—the legacy of Oakley.”
Let us all share this story to raise awareness of the dangers of food allergies and to prevent such a tragic incident from recurring.
