KENT, Conn.—As the year anniversary of Luke Arno’s single-vehicle motorcycle accident approaches, a group of student nurses are holding a walkathon in Arno’s honor.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Kent Commons Park, aims to raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries and raise money for Arno’s ongoing medical treatment.
Luke Arno, then 22, was on his way home for dinner, on July 24, 2025, after an afternoon of swimming at Mohawk Pond in Cornwall, Conn., when he crashed his motorcycle in Amenia, N.Y. A passing motorist on South Amenia Road called 911.
Arno was airlifted to Hartford Hospital. He was in a coma, first at Hartford Hospital and then at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Conn. He has since reached a “minimally conscious state,” according to family.
Katy Branch, who will graduate with her A.S.N. degree in May 2027, is spearheading the walkathon. What started as an idea for a school community service project has become personal for Branch. She met some of Arno’s friends, Riley Mollica and Kenzie Ongley, through her fiancee, in February. When she learned more from a previous Kent Dispatch article, Branch knew this was where she wanted to focus her service hours.
While the walkathon is not associated with Connecticut State Northwestern, a group of Branch’s classmates and two professors are volunteering their time and expertise to help make the event successful.
Their approach is different from most walkathons, in which people typically pay an entry fee and/or secure monetary pledges for each lap completed.
“We weren’t sure how far people could walk, or for how long,” Branch explained in a recent interview. July is the hottest and most humid month in Connecticut, which leads to weather-related exertion concerns.
Branch continued, “We wanted to meet people where they are,” both physically and financially. Any contribution of at least $10 will secure “entry” to the walkathon, in addition to a raffle ticket.
All participants will walk together one lap (approximately one mile) on the gravel path around the park. The morning will include snacks, water, outdoor yard games and raffles, aiming to be educational and family-friendly, Branch explained.
Donations for the walkathon can be made via Venmo to Arno’s sister, Brandi Alpizar (nee Colby), or by cash at the event. Branch asks that those interested in attending please RSVP on the Facebook event page. Additional raffle tickets will also be available via cash or Venmo at the event.
Other nursing students in the group are making educational displays about traumatic brain injury, treatment and recovery. Branch is working with local businesses to create raffle baskets.
“Lynn (Harrington) has been so helpful in this area,” Branch gushed, noting she didn’t realize there were so many businesses in Kent.
“My oldest son, Colby, and Luke have been friends since they were real little,” Harrington said in a recent interview. “I’ve been friends with Luke’s parents for 40-plus years and when all this happened, it was so devastating… and we’re happy that he is coming along.”
When she saw the walkathon posted in Kent’s local Facebook page, Harrington knew she had to help. “I’ve been trying to go around to stores and tradesmen for donations or raffle prizes. Everyone I’ve asked so far has donated something,” whether it is cash or an item.
At the time of the interview, she had collected items and gift cards to curate a spa basket, and gift certificates to Fife ‘N Drum, Hopkins Inn, Kent Pizza Garden, ACE and Tobin’s Automotive. Arno was employed by Tobin’s at the time of his accident.
Kent businesses interested in donating to the raffle baskets, or funding water and snacks, should email Harrington.
“I want to really encourage people to walk a mile for Luke and learn who he is from the people who know him best,” Harrington continued. She is happy that more people will have the opportunity to learn about “the scope of TBI, not just for Luke specifically.”
In the last three or so months, Arno has made progress in his recovery. However, a bout of pneumonia in May set him back, according to his sister.
“He is finally getting back to ‘normal’ with his health. It took a lot out of him… His cognition is finally back to what it was before the pneumonia and he does seem to be becoming more and more aware as the weeks go on,” Alpizar continued.
Alpizar described that Arno is now using facial expressions to answer yes/no questions more consistently. “We tried (augmentative and alternative communication) devices but he gets distracted very easily while using them.”
Distraction and other executive function deficits are common with brain injuries. Communication recovery is especially complicated and multi-faceted. Knowing that, Alpizar said that it is helpful to be able to figure out what Arno needs and wants now.
“I can’t even imagine not being able to communicate your needs.”
While Branch and Alpizar are unsure what the turnout at Saturday’s event will be, they note that whatever money is raised will go directly to costs that insurance does not cover.
“Luke recently got measured and fitted for his own wheelchair, instead of having to borrow one from the hospital. That should hopefully be more comfortable and useful for him,” Alpizar said. The manual tilt-in-space wheelchair will cost approximately $3,000.
There are other significant costs associated with being in long-term neurorehabilitation, which include, but are not limited to, physical, occupational and speech therapies. Arno will likely have significant care needs for the rest of his life.
“Insurance doesn’t cover everything,” Harrington said, reiterating why this event is important to her. “We want to take care of the extra stuff to make him more comfortable and progress more quickly.”
