5K run to honor borough boy

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NAUGATUCK — The American Lung Association is hosting a memorial run to honor a Naugatuck boy who died last September from asthma attack.

Michael Litwinka was 13 when he collapsed at his home.

“He was an outgoing child and immersed his life with kindness, love, and humor. Michael loved to laugh and he loved to make others laugh,” said Norlean Litwinka, Michael’s mother, in a news release.

According to a release issued by the association, Norlean Litwinka returned home from a parent-teacher conference to find her son suffering from the attack. She gave him CPR until a police officer arrived on the scene, who continued CPR. Life-saving efforts were continued by emergency medical personnel, to no avail.

“The nurses told me that it is not uncommon for boys Michael’s age to die from an acute asthma attack,” Norlean Litwinka said.

According to the release, more than seven million children in the United States are living with moderate to severe asthma. On average, 11 people die from asthma or asthma-related complications every day in the United States, the release stated.

The Michael Litwinka Memorial Run/5K will be held May 20 in Naugatuck in honor of Michael. Proceeds from the run will benefit the American Lung Association in the Northeast, specifically asthma-related research, programs and awareness.

Registration fees are $20 until the event, $25 on the day of the event, $10 for students, and $5 for the Kid’s Fun Run for children 12 years old and under.

Registration will begin at 12 p.m. at Cook’s Café, 203 Church St. Cooks Café will host the after party and awards ceremony, immediately following the event.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To become a sponsor, to register, to make a donation, or for more information contact Lisa Wrubleski at lwrubleski@lungne.org or (860) 838-4377. For more information click here.

1 COMMENT

  1. Dear Citizen’s News,

    I am the mother of Michael Peter Litwinka IV. I wanted to thank you for publishing this story to the public and promoting Michael’s road race. I’m hoping, with the help of the American Lung Association and Community helpers to spread asthma awareness so that no other parent or person will have to endure a tragedy of loosing a loved one to an asthma related death. I feel blessed to have such a supportive community, Respectfully, Norlean Litwinka