A mother and young man are continuing their efforts to help everyone burdened with asthma. Lindy Dawson and Cody Bryant are holding another Run/Walk in Memory of Mitchell Dawson & Asthma Awareness to raise money for the Asthma Society of Canada.
It’s been two years since Mitchell, a young man of 15 passed away due to asthma.
“My son passed away two years ago from a severe asthma attack. We’re doing this in his memory and to raise funds for asthma awareness. We want to do what we can to help other people not to have to go through this,” said Dawson.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as allergens and irritants.
“We did allergy tests and found he was pretty much allergic to everything outside,” said Dawson. “He finished his allergy shots and I thought it was all good, but two months later he passed away.”
For Bryant the run/walk is important in keeping Mitchell’s memory alive.
“We were good friends. We hung out and talked at school and lunch. There are lots of memories of him and I teasing each other in class, having fun, and making a joke about everything,” said Bryant. “Right after he passed away I felt I had to do something to keep his memory alive and raise awareness about asthma. Then I decided to do a walk, because a lot of people who have asthma can’t run or walk all the time. Their asthma would flare up.”
Mitchell was an honours student and went out of his way to help other students, such as the international students or those who need help, by tutoring them. He was also described as being quite the joker.
“In industrial arts, the teacher said he had to be careful, so he put five pairs of safety goggles on and asked if he was safe enough. He was that kind of kid, making everyone laugh and smile,” said Dawson.
On Sunday, August 26, residents are asked to come out to the Drumheller Valley Secondary School track to help raise money for others with asthma. The run/walk goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All money raised goes to the Asthma Society of Canada. Last year, the run/walk raised roughly $5700.
“Come out and remember Mitchell and support asthma awareness,” said Dawson.
“Support the Asthma Society of Canada,” said Bryant. “They need all the help they can get to improve awareness and medical treatments for asthma.”
