$11,000 Raised in Charity Naugatuck Road Race

A 5K road race, held in memory of a 13-year-old Naugatuck boy who died following an asthma attack last year, took in thousands of dollars in donations this weekend.

The first ever Michael Litwinka Memorial Run/5K was held on Sunday, May 20, and nearly 550 men, women and children took part in the race. The charity race took in $11,000, and all of the funds will now go toward the American Lung Association, which works to prevent debilitating respiratory diseases like asthma.

The race was held in honor of Michael Litwinka, a student, who died in 2011 while at home, following an acute asthma attack. , however he reportedly collapsed under the weight of the attack.

“Our Michael was born on October 4, 1997; he was my first child. On September 21, 2011, he breathed his last breath, collapsed onto the coffee table, and died,” said Norlean Litwinka, Michael’s mother, in a press release. Some months following Michael’s death, Norlean organized the race to honor her son’s memory and raise awareness about the disease that claimed his life, the organization said.

suffered asthma all his life, although neither Norelan nor Michael thought the disease would ever end his life, the ALA said in a news release.

“Many people, even those who suffer from asthma, remain unaware that the disease can be life threatening,” the American Lung Association said.

According to ALA, more than 91,000 children, and 252,000 adults, in Connecticut are estimated to suffer from the disease. Asthma occurs at any age, but is more common in children than adults. While there is no cure for asthma, the disease can be managed and treated so that those suffering can live normal, healthy lives.

“No parent should have to go through what Norlean Litwinka has endured,” said Jeff Seyler, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “Our organization’s mission is to save lives by preventing lung disease and improving lung health, and we view every death attributed to asthma as one too many. By sharing her story and hosting this event, Norlean is helping to ensure that more families know about the risks associated with asthma and have access to the tools they need to properly manage this disease. We are extremely grateful to Norlean for her generosity and her willingness to speak publicly about this personal tragedy.”