“She was very smart and serious, and had known she had asthma for years. This attack happened overnight, in bed; the family found her on the floor and tried everything to save her.”
Tamara (Tammy) was the daughter of Jacquelyn E. Smith (stepfather Ronald Smith) and Arthur Peaks.
“The funeral service was very moving — many staff members and parents attended, and even students. Standard Register paid for the food for the meal after the funeral.”
Tamara is just one of many Dayton Public School students — and other school districts — who suffer from asthma.
“Tamara had participated in Girls on the Run, a 5K,” said Woodie. “Some of us at Edison decided that we needed to participate in something, too, to honor her and help with this horrible lung condition.”
The Fight For Air Run/Walk, a fundraising 5K sponsored by the American Lung Association, seeks to increase awareness and raise $34,375 at this year’s event. Proceeds go to fight asthma, COPD, air pollution, emphysema, lung cancer and other lung ailments.
“We’re hoping more will join us,” said Woodie. “We’ll carpool on Friday night and stay at a hotel so we’ll be rested for the start-time at 8 a.m. Saturday.”
Lori Warner, another teacher at Edison and team member, has run other races and is walking and jogging daily to train for the Columbus event.
“This has given me motivation; asthma is a disease that’s way too common in children in Dayton,” she said. “So many kids are suffering from asthma and we need to raise awareness and fight for those who are unable to fight for themselves.”
If you would like to donate, go to www.lung.org/pledge-events/oh/columbus-walk-fy14/ and type in Stephanie Hoffmann under team captain and Tammy’s Team in the team section.
Currently, four staff members are walking and/or running — Woodie, Warner, Jaimie Meleason and Stephanie Hoffman.
Anyone wanting to join the team should contact Woodie at knormen@dps.k12.oh.us.
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