Mother Shares Son's Final Moments After Classmate Throws Cheese
It has been eight years since 13-year-old Karanbir Cheema tragically passed away after a classmate threw a piece of cheese at him. For his mother, Rina, the pain remains intense, fueling her determination to share his story and raise allergy awareness worldwide.
A Sudden Tragedy in the Schoolyard
On June 28, 2017, during a normal school day in London, a classmate threw cheese at Karanbir's neck. Despite immediate emergency response and hospitalization at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Karanbir died several days later due to a severe allergic reaction and post-cardiac arrest syndrome.
Karanbir suffered from multiple severe allergies including a life-threatening dairy allergy. The cheese exposure led to cardiac arrest, and after two weeks on life support, his mother made the heartbreaking decision to turn off the machines.
An Expired EpiPen and Crucial Lessons
Karanbir carried an EpiPen for emergencies, but the one used that day was nearly a year out of date, possibly reducing its effectiveness. Medical experts stressed the importance of immediate administration of adrenaline at the first sign of anaphylaxis.
Childish Act with Tragic Consequences
The boy who threw the cheese and the one who handed it to him were both 13 and unaware of Karanbir's allergies. The coroner labeled their behavior as "childish and thoughtless," highlighting a missed opportunity by the school to educate staff and students about allergies.
A Family's Mission
Rina describes her son as her "best friend" and emphasizes the need for greater awareness of allergy risks in schools, hospitals, and emergency services. She recalls Karanbir's desperate plea: "Please help me, or I will die."
His father, Amerjeet, expresses ongoing grief and hope that the tragedy will bring lasting changes in allergy education and response.
Rina and her family share Karanbir's story to prevent similar losses through increased awareness and education on allergy dangers.
Source: https://nl.newsner.com/samenleving/kaasallergie-overleden/