ABOUT LIVE TO THE MAX
Remembering Max McKenzie • 2006-2021
Live to the Max is an initiative established by Tamara and Ben McKenzie — parents to Max, 15, who died tragically in 2021 from an allergic reaction after eating apple crumble that he was unaware contained walnuts.
Max was “full of energy” — he never stopped talking. Friends speak of his compassion, kindness and sense of fun.
After being diagnosed with a nut allergy as a toddler, Max had been taught how to manage his allergy independently as he grew into childhood to adolescence. He was responsible and attentive to his health condition and was confident when asking about foods and their ingredients. He was talented, happy and loved, with so much ahead of him.
Despite exercising caution, using his EpiPen upon his reaction, and calling an ambulance after ingesting the walnuts, Max suffered a severe asthmatic reaction, and died in hospital. His death was a tragedy that has caused unimaginable pain for all who knew him.
He is greatly missed by his parents, two sisters, extended family and broader community.
Max McKenzie’s parents, Tamara and Ben, are tireless advocates for allergy awareness
About Tamara and Ben McKenzie
In addition to Live to the Max, Ben and Tamara have also established AMAX4, an initiative dedicated to reducing and preventing unnecessary deaths related to anaphylaxis and asthma.
Ben, who is an emergency physician with Ambulance Victoria, and is also pursuing a PhD at the University of Melbourne as a scholarship recipient from the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE), focusing his work on resuscitation algorithms for anaphylaxis and asthma.
