Parents' mission to stop others losing a child to anaphylaxis

It's been four years since Ben and Tamara McKenzie lost their beautiful boy, Max, to anaphylaxis.

Now, the family hopes his legacy can help save many more lives.

The 15-year-old died in hospital after eating an apple crumble containing ground walnuts.

His parents are determined to make Max's story matter.

"I'd hate to imagine that another family has to lose a child in this way," mother Tamara told A Current Affair.

A Current Affair first spoke with Ben and Tamara McKenzie a year ago.

Since then, they've created Live to the Max, a school initiative designed to raise awareness about food allergies and equip young people with the knowledge and tools to support their friends in an emergency.

Dr McKenzie, an emergency physician, stressed the program is for everyone, not just those with a food allergy.

Ben's goal is for all young people to "know how to use an EpiPen, know how to call triple zero, and know what it's like when someone's short of breath and looking like they need help".

"This is a young person's problem, and young people are part of the solution to making sure everyone's safe and getting that death rate to zero," Ben said.

So far, 10 schools have joined the initiative, and Max's message continues to gain momentum.

A Current Affair has confirmed the Federal Education Minister's office will meet with family to discuss the program.

"The perfect scenario is that [Live to the Max] does become part of the curriculum, or it becomes so widely adopted that people talk about allergies in a completely normal sort of way," Ben said.

"Education is free, empowering people is a good thing."

For schools, getting involved is simple: host a Live to the Max day to highlight allergy awareness, utilising the free resources that Ben and Tamara have created, and wear a touch of pink, Max's favourite colour.

"I think schools are really keen to do things [like this]," Tamara said.

"I think [schools] put a huge amount of resources into making sure that all the teachers are trained in anaphylaxis and EpiPen training and this just complements that."

The family admits they still "live the loss of Max every day".

"There's not a moment goes by where we're not thinking of him or talking of him," Tamara shared.

"The grief doesn't stop and it is doing things like Live to the Max that gives us some meaning and hope that that won't happen to somebody else."

A Coroners Court spokesperson confirmed to A Current Affair that an inquest will be held for the coronial investigation into the death of Max.

For more information about Live to the Max and to find out how you can get involved, head to their website.