As an independent nonprofit, we rely on supporters like you to make our work possible. Your donation, large or small, ensures that we may continue to grow our awareness and educational programs. We are saving lives, one day at a time.
- Thank you for your support -
Thanks to your donations, in the past year…
We expanded our Red Sneakers for Oakley Food Allergy Awareness Days, and coordinated over 150 programs in schools, workplaces and community centers across the U.S. with over 50,000 participants.
We celebrated another successful International Red Sneakers Day, acknowledged each year on May 20th. We chose the 20th in honor of Oakley as that was his soccer jersey number. The movement reached millions of people on social media this year.
Our online support and social media footprint continued to grow, with people engaging/interacting MILLIONS of times. We use Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to reach out and give families with questions and stories a way to reach us.
We have hundreds of testimonials from families around the world stating that they credit us for changing their allergy plan and taking action that they otherwise would not have taken, noting that they went to the hospital and started carrying their epinephrine auto-injectors, when before they wouldn't have. Many families have told us that Red Sneakers for Oakley saved their child’s life.
“We started Red Sneakers for Oakley in the hope of preventing another family from experiencing the deep loss we went through, and frankly, still continue to feel each day. Every time we receive a testimonial thanking us for sharing our story, we know we are helping in the battle. That continues with your support. We need your help so that we can continue to spread awareness about the dangers of food allergies. Please consider making a donation today. No amount is too small. Your consideration is appreciated beyond words.”
-The Debbs (Oakley’s parents)
Oakley Debbs
Red Sneakers for Oakley is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of food allergies, founded by Robert and Merrill Debbs after they tragically lost their 11-year-old-son, Oakley, due to a severe reaction to nuts. The Debbs family feels the medical community did not properly direct them on the severity and outcomes of anaphylaxis, and they have made it their mission to saves lives through educational programs, advocacy and community outreach.
Red Sneakers for Oakley undertakes year-round initiatives to promote a better understanding of what it's like to live with a food allergy, to reduce the number of deaths caused by food allergies and to better recognize symptoms and respond more quickly to allergic reactions.
“We started Red Sneakers for Oakley in the hope of preventing another family from experiencing the deep loss we went through, and frankly, still continue to feel each day. Every time we receive a testimonial thanking us for sharing your story, we know we are helping in the battle. That continues with your support. We need your help so that we can continue to spread awareness about the dangers of food allergies. Please consider making a donation today. No amount is too small. Your consideration is appreciated beyond words.”
-The Debbs Family
Through our advocacy, community outreach, and educational programs, we continue to save lives.
Approximately 32 million Americans have food allergies.
Nearly 11% of adults have food allergies.
Almost 6 million children, or nearly 8%, have food allergies.
One in 13 children, or roughly two children in every classroom have food allergies.
Each year in the U.S., 200,000 people require emergency medical care for allergic reactions to food.
Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room.
Each year in the U.S., 200,000 people require emergency medical care for allergic reactions to food.
Pediatric hospitalizations for food allergy tripled between the late 1990s and the mid-2000s.
More than 40% of children with food allergies have experienced a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis.
About 40% of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food.
Medical procedures to treat anaphylaxis resulting from food increased by 377% between 2007 and 2016.
Food allergy research is severely underfunded. Compared to both to the size of the epidemic and the funding provided for other diseases with fewer patients. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a total budget of about $120 per US resident. Of that funding, food allergies receive only 19 cents per person.
Source: Food Allergy & Research & Education (FARE)
Financial Transparency
We have hundreds of heartfelt testimonials
“I am 100% convinced that I was meant to read Oakley’s story last year. Your son's story saved Rory's life last week. If I had not known of the symptoms Oakley had experienced I would have never thought that Rory was going into anaphylaxis. It was ONLY because of your story that I read about 6-9 months ago that I knew what was going on with Rory. I get emotional reading Oakley's story again and I can only say that I think of him as an angel. Thank you for sharing. I'm so grateful but so very sorry for your loss.”
- Lyndsy Walters
“…I immediately grabbed our epiPen and injected him. He got a round of steroids in the ER and is doing much better now. I am writing this because there was a time, where I’d look for any excuse not to give the epi (oh it’s asthma, maybe he’s just getting sick, etc etc). I was constantly second guessing myself or thinking I was over reacting. This time however, there was no hesitation. All I could think of was Oakley’s story and I knew I had to act and fast! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are true heroes."
-Amanda
“Immediately after finishing his meal, Ronan said he wasn't feeling well. He was doubled over. In minutes, his lips were blue and he said he couldn’t see. His body was ice cold. He was going into cardiac arrest. I knew, in that moment, that his epi-pen was only option. We had to give him 2 before he started to show and signs of recovery. I firmly believe that the awareness you have raised through Oakley’s story is what gave me the courage to make that recision. Ronan has made a full recovery.”
-Jennifer
“I’m emailing to let you know what an impact Oakley’s story has had on me with regard to my son’s condition. Since reading your story this morning our action plan has completely changed. Our plan now is to give him his Epi-pen immediately. From the bottom of my heart I wish this hadn’t happened to you and your family but I want to thank you for making us aware of the circumstances of what happened. By doing so, you may have just saved my son’s life. And for that I am so so grateful.”
-Rich Falk
“I want you to know Oakley’s death was not in vain. I follow your story and your page and it made me wake up to how complacent we had gotten with my big strong 14 year old. Yesterday, he ate a protein bad with cashew butter and I brought him to the ER just to be safe because his reactions before were very mild. Not this time. I took him to the ER and an hour later, he went into full anaphylactic shock. Your son’s memory and story saved my son’s life.”
-Marie
“Tonight my son started going into hives and swelling. I went into full blown panic. I stood there for a moment asking myself how I was going to jab my son in the leg with his Epipen. Then boom. I thought of Oakley, who has already saved us with his story so we could change Kye’s emergency plan. I was his handsome little face and I quickly administered the Epipen. He was so brave and was my little champ. I couldn’t be any more grateful that Oakley was there to push me along.”
-Amanda Redhead
