A college student has died after eating a late-night snack that contained peanuts just days after graduating.
Timothy Myles Howard, 22, died on May 24 after suffering a severe anaphylactic reaction, his heartbroken mother announced on social media.
Patty and Tim Howard recounted how the tragedy unfolded when Timothy consumed a snack tainted with an allergen. They did not specify the type of snack.
‘He came in and woke us up and said that he couldn’t breathe. At that point, it unfolded very quickly,’ Tim Howard told NBC affiliate 10WJAR.
Timothy’s parents administered his EpiPen and dialed 911, but it was too late.
‘The reaction was too far gone,’ his father said.
Patty took to Facebook, posting about her son’s passing eight days after sharing family pictures from his graduation ceremony at the University of Rhode Island.
‘With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our son Timmy due to a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts,’ Patty wrote on the day of his passing.
College student Timothy Myles Howard (pictured on his graduation day on May 17) has died after eating a late-night snack, his devastated parents have announced via social media
Howard, 22, died on May 24 after suffering a severe reaction to peanuts, his mother announced on social media. (Pictured: Howard with his parents on his graduation day on May 17)
‘We just celebrated his college graduation and he had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are broken and we now have joined a club no one wants to be apart of.
‘Please hug your children a little tighter today, don’t sweat the small stuff and spread kindness to this world.
‘His college frat brothers have started a in loving memory fundraiser page to spread education, food allergy awareness and advancing anaphylaxis research and treatment options.’
Howard, from Southborough, Massachusetts, gained his degree in Communications Studies from the University of Rhode Island on May 16.
His relatives have launched a fundraiser in his memory, with the proceeds going towards the Food Allergy Research and Education organization.
‘Let’s spread awareness on food allergies and on advancing anaphylaxis research and treatment,’ the fundraiser reads.
His parents Patty and Tim Howard said the horror unfolded after the recent graduate (pictured) ate a snack containing nuts. They did not say what the snack was
Pictured: Howard with his family, who have now launched a fundraiser in his memory
The page also encourages people to consider becoming an organ donor, as Timothy was.
‘Keep spreading kindness, love to others and keep dancing!’ the fundraiser reads.
‘Timmy was just beginning what promised to be a remarkable journey in life,’ the page also adds.
‘He was driven, kind, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone who had the joy of knowing him.
‘He had so much ahead of him, and he approached life with a rare kind of kindness and light. He was the person you could always count on to listen—really listen.
‘He never judged, never interrupted, and always made you feel like what you had to say mattered.
‘Timmy had a way of making everyone around him feel safe and seen. He had a warm, calm presence that made people feel better just by being near him.
His heartbroken mother, Patty Howard, shared a Facebook post announcing his death eight days after sharing family photographs of his graduation from the University of Rhode Island
Howard’s family had celebrated his graduation from the University of Rhode Island (shown above) just eight days before he died from eating the contaminated snack
‘He didn’t complain, even when things were hard. He always looked for the good in people and held on to hope when others couldn’t.
‘His positivity was quiet but powerful, and his heart was as genuine as they come. He truly was one of the good ones—gentle, thoughtful, and full of love for others.
‘His unexpected passing has left a profound void, but we are committed to honoring his memory in a way that brings purpose and change.’
The page has so far raised more than $27,500.
