As a native of southeastern Pennsylvania, a young Michael Fitzgerald took a student teaching position in the Wilson School District and stayed. He enjoyed a career as a public educator in the Technical and Engineering Department at Wilson Senior High School, retiring in 2022.
Michael’s story was typical of that of a husband and father working and raising a family in the Wyomissing area. By the time his oldest daughter, Lauren, graduated from Wyomissing Area High School, he was a proud father of two daughters and a step daughter. He celebrated his first daughter’s graduation as she headed off to college to pursue her dreams.
“Lauren attended Wyomissing schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. She excelled academically as a Latin scholar in high school, traveling with her classmates to Italy and England during her freshman and sophomore years. She was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2003 and kept busy in the student council, the morning announcements program, stage crew, and field hockey. She excelled in the sport through her senior year as co-captain of the team. She graduated with honors in 2003.”
In the fall of 2003, Lauren enrolled at Drexel University in Philadelphia to study Interior design, an interest and passion for her. She adjusted well to the urban lifestyle, and joined an academic service sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon, and became a member of the Drexel University crew team. Michael explains,
“In the spring of 2004, Lauren began having vision issues and we encouraged her to have it checked out. Caught up in her busy college life and activities she delayed looking into it, but several weeks later she was rushed to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital for a brain bleed due to a benign tumor. It turned out that the tumor was not benign, and Lauren was diagnosed with a brain tumor – a stage 3 anaplastic oligodendroglioma. She underwent two surgeries that summer followed by chemotherapy treatments at University of Pennsylvania Hospital. Lauren remained dedicated to her education and returned to Drexel in the fall. She had to take a leave of absence during the winter to continue her fight. In May 2005, the tumor grew back aggressively. A third surgery was scheduled at Duke University Hospital, but was later canceled. On July 18th, at the age of 20, Lauren passed away at Duke after lapsing into a coma.”
Following the devastating loss of his daughter, and the time leading up to it, Michael recalls the one thing that stood out as a source of comfort and support for him and his family; it was the generosity of others. “There was so much generosity directed toward our family during that time. When the story got out, people donated money and sent checks which helped with traveling expenses and medical expenses not covered by insurance. The support for our family was unbelievable.”
After Lauren passed away, her sister Liz and other family and friends wanted to do something to benefit others in her memory. “We had some money left, and they wanted to create an event which would give back to the community. I was in no state to mind to be a real part of the initial planning for the first 5K run held in the fall of 2005. It was very informal, and since Lauren had been born on Halloween, it was decided that October might be good to hold the run. We had a great turn out for the event, and we used the money for a scholarship fund for families like us who had seriously or terminally ill children. We really appreciated the funds that helped to fly us to Duke, and for help with hotels and treatments. We wanted to give back as a way of showing appreciation for the kindness bestowed upon us.”
Sunday, October 26, 2025 marks the 21st anniversary of the Fitzy’s Halloween Run, sponsored by Lauren’s Foundation, which through the years has established a solid mission for their fundraising efforts. It has evolved into an anticipated event not only for runners and walkers but for the community at large. As per their mission, the funds raised will help support the following: recreational and community programs for children and families battling brain tumors or serious illness, scholarships for students experiencing adversity, awareness of the organ donation process, and brain tumor research and treatment studies.
Each year the event has grown, and along with it, the memory of Lauren Fitzgerald is kept alive through the efforts of the many volunteers, supporters, and sponsors who make it happen.
Michael and his family are swept up in the logistics of running Lauren’s Foundation and a sponsored event of this size each year. “We are holding Fitzy’s Halloween Run at the West Reading Playground at 505 Sycamore Road, West Reading, less than one mile from our previous location at the Stone House park. There will be a free trick or treat dash, trick or treat bags for kids, costume contests, food trucks, a kids zone with free childcare, a health services fair, a petting zoo, as well as the 5k run. We anticipate around 500 runners/walkers signing up this year.”
The success of the event and the ongoing support is a “mixed bag”, as Michael pauses to think on it. “Sometimes when I stop and reflect on why this event is happening every year, I think it is happening because I lost my daughter. Every year when we are able to award scholarships and support families to help pay expenses, it becomes so gratifying. My wife Sorita is owner of Fleet Feet West Reading and the director of the run. This has helped to keep it going year after year. Our family and our board of directors are grateful for community support and the good that we are able to do. It is a wonderful thing. To have this occurring twenty years later is incredible. One of the most heartwarming things that happens is that Lauren’s sorority members from Drexel, Delta Phi Epsilon, continue to come out in full. They charter a bus each year, and some of the current members were not even born when we began. They volunteer on the course, and help with childcare and anywhere that they are needed, still remembering Lauren and taking the trips to help us. Students and staff from the Drexel Medical School have also become involved during the past three years. Cutting Edge Anatomy Club, Health Outreach Program, and Breast Cancer Awareness will be represented at this year’s event. With all of the negative things in this world, it is inspiring to know how helpful and generous people can be.”
The importance of bringing community together for the benefit of others cannot be emphasized enough in a society that leans toward self-serving rather than serving to benefit others. “Before my daughter was diagnosed I didn’t know anything about giving back until I was the recipient of the generosity from others who cared. I believe that it is important for people to gather together around issues and causes, and create a fabric of community where people actually care for one another.”
For more information of Lauren’s Foundation and details for The Fitzy’s Halloween Run, visit laurensfoundation.org.
“Throughout her fight, Lauren maintained her love of life and her dignity. She chose to live by a favorite quote from poet Maya Angelou, “I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.”
