It was Thanksgiving in Maine, and 11-year-old Oakley Debbs was on vacation with his family. Oakley, a top student from West Palm Beach, Florida, was also a star athlete, even though he had asthma and food allergies.
For the holiday, his family had ordered a Thanksgiving basket full of treats. Oakley chose to have a piece of cake from the basket.
Tragically, something went wrong after he ate the cake, leading to a heartbreaking event. His family and friends are now working to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
Despite his asthma and nut allergies, Oakley loved playing tennis, football, soccer, and even running marathons. His family remembers him as a “brave and strong warrior” who fought hard against his conditions.
On November 24, Oakley Debbs, an 11-year-old, had a piece of pound cake that was left on the kitchen table where his family was staying in Maine. His mom, Merrill Debbs, said Oakley always checked labels to avoid nuts and didn’t see any warnings.
“He thought it was just a piece of cake,” his dad, Robert Debbs, explained. “But after he ate it, he mentioned it might have nuts.” Merrill agreed the cake had a nutty taste, which turned out to be walnut.
Merrill gave Oakley Benadryl, as they usually did for allergic reactions, and he said he felt fine. At that point, he only had a small hive on his lip.
But soon after, Oakley complained of chest pain and started vomiting. His parents called 911, but by the time the ambulance arrived ten minutes later, Oakley was blue. His airway had closed, and his heart had stopped.
I’m writing on behalf of Robert J. Debbs, Merrill Debbs, and Oakley’s twin sister, Olivia. It is with a heavy heart that I…
Posted by Tyler Debbs Squire on Saturday, November 26, 2016
The family struggled to accept Oakley’s tragic death and understand why he couldn’t be saved.
“I don’t think my beautiful, amazing son should have passed away,” Merrill said.
In response, the family started the Red Sneaker Foundation to teach people about anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. They chose red sneakers as a symbol because Oakley loved them, hoping to increase awareness about food allergies.
Posted by Red Sneakers For Oakley on Thursday, December 1, 2016
Experts recommend using epinephrine for even mild allergic reactions. Merrill said, “Oakley was a rock star, a good kid. I always knew he’d make a difference—just not after he passed away. That’s a big part of why we’re doing this.”
Please share this story to help raise awareness about food allergies and prevent future tragedies.
Julia Roberts Goes Blonde, and Everyone Notice the Same Thing
Julia Roberts is making waves again with a cool new hair color, but people have totally different opinions about her latest look.
On June 16, Julia Roberts’ trusted colorist, Kadi Lee, took to Instagram to unveil the actress’s bold new look — she’s swapped out her soft brown locks for a stunning golden blonde. Lee explained in her post that she approached the transformation gradually to ensure Roberts’ hair stayed healthy throughout the process.
The 56-year-old actress also changed her usual blunt bangs to a softer curtain style that framed her face. She wore her layered hair in loose waves, showing off the mix of dark and light highlights in her new look.
Going blonde wasn’t Roberts’ only recent hair change. Last year, in March 2023, she surprised everyone by showing up with bangs at an event.
Since the actress is known for her iconic red hair, people have mixed feelings about her new blonde look. However, most people ended up loving it and praised her for the change. “How she looks so stunning with literally any hair color,” someone wrote. Other comments included, “Oh wow! That blonde looks amazing on her! Love Julia with dark hair, but I gotta admit, that blonde is beautiful!”
Many comments complimented her beauty despite the changes and years, with people saying things like, “Julia always looks amazing,” and “Perfection and an inspiration.”
Here are some tips Julia Roberts has shared over the years to keep her youthful look.
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