11-Year-Old Dies From ‘Mild’ Food Allergy: What Family Wants You To Know | TODAY

According to experts, one in every 13 kids in the U.S. has a food allergy. The Debbs family share the tragic story of their son Oakley, who died after unknowingly eating a dessert with a topping containing nuts caused a delayed anaphylactic reaction. They also talk about the Red Sneaker Foundation they have started in Oakley’s memory so that other parents won’t have to experience their heartbreak.

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11-Year-Old Dies From ‘Mild’ Food Allergy: What Family Wants You To Know | TODAY

[murdige]

My daughter has several severe food allergies, this is my worst fear....condolences to your family. Can't imagine your sadness.

[nakitiachaphe]

My 13 year old is allergic to peaches. I have to carry an epi pen every where we go. The problem we are currently facing is that many schools don't take his peach allergy seriously ( his current school is doing better with checking lunches and such) because it's not a peanut allergy... I'm sharing this because anything can be an allergy and all should be taken seriously even if you haven't heard of it before.

[sevrinaanastasia]

This is absolutely terrible. No child (or any person) should die from an allergic reaction.

[lillybanks]

Hours later! I had an allergist tell me that allergic reactions always happen immediately. Please take this part into consideration yall. This boy dies two hours or more after ingesting the allergen. How sad.
I’m so glad I didn’t lose my baby who had a sudden onset allergic reaction to a food we always ate. We have Benedryl and it worked that day. But the allergy has gotten worse every year with testing and we carry liquid medication and epi pens now.

My heart goes out to them.

[nicholesampson]

Thanks for the video. Our son is a 25 for a walnut allergy and high on other numbers. He’s only 4, much to learn. Oakley looked like a fun loving person. Much love to you and your family.

[yoloinstaswap]

We will always remember you Oakley! You were a great friend and I hope your're at peace!

[californiageisha]

Wow. What a beautiful kid. I’m so sorry for your loss.

[elphabathropp]

That is so sad. I have a severe nut allergy, and asthma. And I once had a close to death experience at school from bullies. I’m really sorry for your loss. Please remember that people come into our lives for a reason. I understand it can be hard to lose someone you love. I promise to start wearing red sneakers for Oakley. I’m very sorry, and it breaks my heart to see this.

[GLGC]

If your child (for those watching) has any sort of reaction to food, get them epipen immediately. There's a condition called Mast Cell Activation syndrome that runs in families. It is not rare, but underdiagnosed. People who have a lot of allergies to a lot of things should get tested for MCAS and then take appropriate precautions to prevent deadly events like this one.

[poetriv]

Oakley went to my school, Rosarian Academy it was a hard time for my friends who knew Oakley.

[balbijanic]

Many thanks, the Debbs family. I learnt that allergy medicine is required and after that immediately visit the emergency department.

[elphabathropp]

R.I.P. Oakley. Gone but never forgotten. Taken too soon💖😭

[TheAquaman]

I’m just back from my son’s prep class parents night. I was amazed there is about 7 children in his class with serve food allergies. Why is this happening all of a sudden. I didn’t know one pupil at my school with a food allergy when I was little. Pretty scary stuff really. Thought I would do some research and found this video. Sorry for your loss and my your son Rest In Peace

[audreybodden]

I'm so happy I found this video, my son is about to turn 3 and we haven't had any allergic reactions to any foods, but I had a terrible dream a moment ago that has set me on a journey to investigate what to do in a scenario such as this, and it's a little ironic but I'm due to have my second baby now and her name is Olivia. Pray no one we know or our selves experience what this poor family has gone through, so greatful they shared their story 😭💔

[llwone]

My daughter has the same exact allergies. Glad they did this movement for Oakley. Even some daycare teachers don’t know the difference.

[DeadRaymanWalking]

Nobody, and I mean *NOBODY* should ever die of an allergic reaction, or anaphylactic shock. In early 2020 prior to the horrible COVID pandemic, I had a sinus infection and was put on amoxicillin (an antibiotic), which I had no problems with in the past. One morning I had taken the amoxicillin with my other medications in the morning and my hands began to itch. Then I broke out with hives from head to toe all over my body, so when my mom saw the hives, she rushed me to the emergency room. When I was taken into the room (which looked like a typical doctor's office room), the nurse told me to let any staff know if I had any signs of anaphylaxis...which, thankfully, I didn't have. As it turned out, I suffered an allergic reaction to the amoxicillin I was taking, so the doctors took me off the amoxicillin. Now I'm afraid I might have an allergic reaction to penicillin!

[michaelkurtz]

Oakley is still helping others many years later. Thanks. RIP

[madsjade]

I’m extremely allergic to nuts and I’m also allergic to chocolate and bees and it’s absolutely sucks…prayers out to your beautiful family ❤️

[girlsandtroublemakers]

So sad really I think everyone will remember you Oakley

[bakedbeans]

I ate 2 peanut cookies 4 hours away from my house and my allgergy is sooo severe im glad im still alive i was 11