Lace Up Your Red Sneakers to Support Food Allergy Awareness in Palm Beach This May

PALM BEACH, FL – April 29, 2022 – On May 20th, Red Sneakers for Oakley will host its annual International Red Sneakers Day, recognized by the Registrar at National Day Calendar, to support food allergy awareness.

Red Sneakers for Oakley will host a soccer tournament in partnership with Palm Beach Day Academy in memory of Oakley Debbs. All are encouraged to wear their red sneakers on the very field that Oakley once played on.

Chief of the Allergy Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Jonathan Spergel, MD, PhD, and Allergy & Immunology Specialist at Allergy Associates of the Palm Beaches, Elena E. Perez, MD, PhD will put on their red sneakers to address the students and parents of Palm Beach Day Academy about the dangers of food allergies.

Red Sneakers for Oakley, a non-profit organization, has raised awareness about the dangers of food allergies. Robert and Merrill Debbs experienced a life altering event after the death of their 11-year-old son, Oakley due to a fatal allergic reaction to nuts. Oakley loved his red sneakers and the family decided to use them as a powerful symbol for increased education and awareness for those with and without food allergies.

Oakley suffered from asthma and nut allergies. Robert and Merrill Debbs were ill prepared to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction to allergens. They have established May 20th as a day dedicated to the recognition of Oakley and the importance of educating others about the dangers of food allergies. This is accomplished through school programs, social media, community events, and PSAs. There is a vital need for all of us to act together and to protect each other by wearing red sneakers in Oakley’s honor.

International Red Sneakers Day marks a growing movement with a mission to save the lives of those with food allergies, while sharing the story and memory of a boy who loved red sneakers.

Raising awareness for the 1 in every 13 kids in the U.S. with a food allergy and approximately 32 million Americans with food allergies (foodallergy.org), Red Sneakers for Oakley has reached millions of people worldwide.

How can you participate in International Red Sneakers Day? It’s simple! On social media, post a photo of yourself wearing your red sneakers (or anything red) with a caption about Oakley and/or food allergies. You only need to read the testimonials on the Red Sneakers for Oakley’s website to know how powerful the movement is.

Hashtags: #redsneakersforoakley #foodallergyawareness #internationalredsneakersday