About 500 runners and walkers headed to the Stone House Park in Wyomissing on Sunday for the 14th annual Fitzy’s Halloween 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run.
The race was created in memory of Lauren Fitzgerald, a Wyomissing graduate who died of a brain tumor at 20 in July 2005. It raises funds to support Lauren’s Foundation, the Wyomissing-based nonprofit that was created in her honor.
The organization provides scholarships to students and supports families with seriously ill children. It also funds brain tumor research and raises awareness about organ donation.
Lauren’s father, Michael Fitzgerald, said that it has always meant a lot to his family that so many people return for the event year after year.
Fitzgerald said the race helps the foundation support local families and usually brings in about $20,000 to $30,000 for the cause.
“I’m really humbled and grateful that people continue to turn out to support our foundation and our mission to bring awareness to brain tumor research and help out families with scholarships and those with seriously and terminally ill children,” he said.
This year, the race recognized two children facing serious health challenges: 9-year-old Celia Cosentino of Wyomissing, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, and whose sister Adeline spoke at the event; and Grace Austerberry, an 11-month-old from Newmanstown with Alpers syndrome. The rare disease occurs in about 1 in 100,000 people.
Waylon Deans made the trip from North Carolina for the event to talk about his mom, Maryann, who died in 2012.
After Lauren died, her lungs were donated to Maryann, and she lived for seven years after battling a chronic lung disease.
Waylon said that the donation made a big difference for his mother’s quality of life. He urged others to think about becoming organ donors.
“My mother did receive Lauren’s ultimate gift and it did allow her seven more wonderful years as a completely different woman, a whole new life,” he said.
Fitzgerald said that it still stings to think about losing his daughter, but the race and the foundation have helped him grieve. He said his hope is to see the event continue to grow in the future.
“It shows the sense of community we have in Berks and beyond,” he said.