International Red Sneakers Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Allergies

International Red Sneakers Day, which is observed on May 20, has as one of its goals the dissemination of information about the lethality of allergies, as not everyone is aware of this fact. Red Sneakers for Oakley, a non-profit organisation, invites the entire world to participate and requests that everyone wear red shoes to bring attention to the rising food allergy problem, which effects approximately 250 million people worldwide. Today provides the opportunity to use a simple but potent symbol, such as red trainers, to draw attention to the severity of the challenges faced by people with food allergies around the globe. The event also functions as a venue for raising awareness about the risks associated with food allergies.

The background of International Red Sneakers Day

On Thanksgiving Day in 2016, the Debbs family travelled to Maine to celebrate the holiday with their extended family. Due to the cold weather, in addition to spending the majority of the day playing sports, Oakley Debbs also spent roughly two hours at a trampoline park. Everyone then went to supper. Oakley did not consume his supper because, according to him, it was too spicy.

Oakley returned home and unknowingly consumed a confection containing nut extract or nuts, resulting in a fatal allergic reaction. Unfortunately, he passed away, and his family felt they were not adequately informed about the risk of allergic reactions, which ultimately led to his passing. According to them, Oakley’s allergist’s office did not adequately inform them about the dangers of food allergies. They were unaware that antihistamines (such as Benadryl) do not mitigate systemic symptoms and that epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis due to their ignorance. After that, they realised they had to take action to prevent this from happening to others in a similar circumstance. For this reason, and in commemoration of their son, they founded the nonprofit organisation Red Sneakers for Oakley. Given that he donned red trainers in all of the sports in which he participated, it was only natural for Oakley’s parents to use them as a powerful symbol to convey the severity of his food allergies.

With the belief that allergists, hospitals, first responders, parents, school personnel, and the general public must be educated, the nonprofit’s mission is to increase global awareness of food allergies, and they have committed their resources to education and activism.

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5 essential facts about allergies

When the initial symptoms of anaphylaxis manifest, it may take up to an hour for the body to react.

Exercise before consuming an allergen can exacerbate food allergies, and asthma and harsh weather conditions are also included in this group.

Utilise epinephrine if two bodily systems are affected by an allergen after ingestion.

Epinephrine is the only effective treatment for anaphylaxis; antihistamines (such as Benadryl) may assist with hives, but they are incapable of treating anaphylactic shock.

Two EpiPen Auto-Injectors should always be on hand in the event of an emergency.

INTERNATIONAL RED SNEAKERS DAY DATES