Red Sneakers for Oakley

From the UNE directory, Sep 7, 2026

The Red Sneakers for Oakley (RSFO) Club at UNE is a student-led organization dedicated to food allergy awareness, advocacy, and campus-wide safety. Our mission is inspired by the tragic story of Oakley Debbs, an 11-year-old boy who passed away in 2016 from a fatal anaphylactic reaction after unknowingly eating cake containing walnut extract while on vacation in Maine. In his memory, his parents founded RSFO, choosing his favorite red sneakers as a global symbol to represent the urgent need for better education and preparedness regarding life-threatening allergies. Building on UNE’s achievement as the first FARE Silver Status university in Maine, our chapter bridges the gap between dining safety and student life through life-saving education, such as workshops on anaphylaxis recognition and travelling abroad with severe allergies. We advocate for increased epinephrine access in residence halls and athletic facilities while hosting inclusive events, including "Red Sneaker Days" and allergen-free workshops in the nutrition test kitchen, to foster a sense of belonging and reduce the social isolation often felt by students with dietary restrictions. By connecting students to the national "Epi Everywhere" campaign, RSFO at UNE empowers our community to drive meaningful policy change and ensures our campus remains a safe, inclusive beacon for all.