Darien Resident, Paralympic Athlete Ali Truwit To Receive Special Award

DARIEN, CT — Darien resident and Paralympic medalist Ali Truwit will receive a 2026 Human Spirit Award from The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation at its awards dinner Nov. 7 in Hartford.

The event, presented by Johnson Brunetti Retirement & Investment Specialists, will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, 200 Columbus Blvd.

The awards recognize individuals and organizations that inspire others to make a difference in their communities and the world. The dinner honors the late television broadcaster Denise D’Ascenzo’s legacy of openness, courage and kindness and recognizes those who have demonstrated those qualities.

A Darien resident since 2006, Truwit was bitten by a shark while vacationing in Turks and Caicos in 2023, causing her leg to be amputated.

Growing up, Truwit swam for both Wee Burn Country Club and the Tokeneke Club in Darien. She graduated from St. Luke's School in New Canaan, and attended Yale University where she was a Division 1 swimmer.

She later became a Paralympic medalist, earning two silver medals in Paris in 2024 after winning the 100M backstroke and the 400M freestyle. She broke American records in both events, swimming the backstroke in 1:08:59 and the freestyle in 4:31:39.

In September 2024, she was honored in Darien with a welcome-back rally from the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games

The other 2026 Human Spirit Award recipients are:

• Crystal R. Emery, who will be honored posthumously. The filmmaker, author and activist lived with a rare neuromuscular disease and dedicated her life to breaking barriers and expanding opportunities for others.
• Rabbi Philip Lazowski, who will be honored posthumously. A Holocaust survivor, he devoted his life to faith, education and service, with a focus on compassion, remembrance and hope.
• The Luke Roux Foundation and Stephen and Carri Roux. The Farmington residents created the foundation after their son Luke died in a drunken driving crash, honoring his life and working to make a difference in the lives of others.

Andrea Hurley will receive the 2026 Kindness Award for her charitable work supporting Connecticut Children’s and other organizations serving children and families.

Hurley, the wife of UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley, has championed the Husky Ticket Project, which enables disadvantaged families to attend games.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp will receive the 2026 Legacy Award.

Founded in 1988 in Ashford by actors and philanthropists Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, the year-round overnight camp serves children with serious illnesses and their families, providing opportunities for friendship and a community where children can be kids.

The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, a plated dinner, a silent auction, remarks and award presentations. Presenters will include foundation President Dennis House of WTNH-TV 8 and Vice President Kara Sundlun of WFSB-TV 3, among others.

Tickets are $195 per person or $1,950 for a table of 10 and are available online here.

Proceeds will benefit The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation, a Branford-based 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission is to continue D’Ascenzo’s efforts to support advances in medicine and health, promote responsibility in the media, assist people facing physical and mental challenges, and support organizations and individuals who demonstrate openness, courage and kindness.