Honoring Lauren’s memory by supporting local families through a variety of charitable funds for high school seniors, families with seriously ill children, brain tumor research and organ donation awareness.
Honoring Lauren’s memory by supporting local families through a variety of charitable funds for high school seniors, families with seriously ill children, brain tumor research and organ donation awareness.
Lauren’s Foundation was created by the family of Lauren Fitzgerald, a lifelong Berks County, PA resident who died in 2005 from complications related to a brain tumor. The Foundation honors Lauren’s memory by supporting local families through a variety of charitable funds for high school seniors, families with seriously ill children, brain tumor research, and organ donation awareness.
“I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou
From May, 2005 to December, 2024, Lauren’s Foundation has invested over $400,000 in the local community through our charitable funds.
This fund provides financial assistance for families with seriously ill children by helping to pay household expenses for a period of time, allowing families to spend more time and resources with their children.
This fund recognizes and supports local high school seniors who have been confronted with adverse life circumstances, but worked to overcome them.
This fund supports research into the causes of brain tumors, as well as treatments and cures. An annual donation is made from this fund to the American brain Tumor Society.
The signature fundraising event for Lauren’s Foundation is our annual “Fitzy’s Run,” a 5k run and Halloween Festival held in Berks County on the last Sunday in October. Registration opens in May!
Run In-Person or Virtually – Your Choice!
Fitzy’s Run is a fun-filled, family-oriented community event that has lots to offer, including:
5K Run/Walk, 2.5K Mile Walk, Kid’s 1/4 Mile Trick or Treat Dash, Health Services Fair, Supervised Child Care, Costume Contests, Pre & Post-Run Food Trucks, Entertainment, Games and more!
The race, which is sponsored by Lauren’s Foundation, celebrated its 20th anniversary last month. More than 400 runners, walkers and community members gathered at the West Reading Playground in October for a good cause. Lauren’s Foundation held its 20th annual...
Three area nonprofits recently teamed up with the Reading Royals to raise awareness and funds to help fight pediatric cancer. Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night was held during the Jan. 7 hockey game at Santander Arena and honored survivors, loved ones and families...
It was the summer before Sarala Martin’s junior year at Wilson High School when she got the news that would change her life in so many ways. She learned that her mom, Barbara Hanlon, had been diagnosed with a GBM brain tumor — the most deadly type. But when she...