Dear Stepping Strong 5K Teammates,
We are so honored that you have joined our 2024 Stepping Strong 5K team in support of the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This is a very special year for you to be on our team while we “Celebrate 10 years of Stepping Strong” and recognize a decade of innovation and progress. Your fundraising efforts are not only meaningful to our family personally, but to all the trauma survivors who are benefitting from the Stepping Strong Center’s ever-expanding research and programs as we embark on the next decade of hope and healing.
When our family was standing at the Boston Marathon finish line that fateful day in April 2013, we had no idea how, in just one instant, our lives would be forever changed. That is the nature of trauma; it is something unexpected that puts you on a path you never anticipated. We are forever grateful we landed at the Brigham. The emergency medical team worked miracles to save our daughter Gillian’s life and lower limbs and put our family back together again in the midst of chaos.
Once we were on the road to recovery, we began to focus on how we could express the full depth of our gratitude. It felt almost impossible, but we wanted to try. We felt we had to give back to the medical heroes who had helped not only us, but also, all the other innocent victims that day in Boston. We learned that trauma is an under-recognized, under-funded medical discipline, and that a person dies every 3 minutes from trauma related injuries. This inspired us to take on the challenge and become a voice of change for trauma survivors. So, in February 2014 we started the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Fund. We had no idea if anyone would join us in this mission, but ten years later, we have been overwhelmed by the compassion and generous support of people around the world.
In 2016, we secured physical space at the Brigham and became The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. Our goal is to transform outcomes for ALL trauma survivors, across the full spectrum of trauma care from injury prevention to innovative treatment and improved rehabilitation, whether they are soldiers injured in combat, individuals harmed in a car accident, athletes hurt on the playing field, victims of gun violence, or cancer patients in need of reconstructive limb surgery.
We are so fortunate to be part of the world class Brigham, which has been instrumental in helping us realize these goals. To date, we have raised more than $30 million dollars, funded 60 teams of physician-scientists, and trained 13 fellows in next generation strategies for injury prevention, amputee care and reconstructive surgery, all because of individuals like you. Your commitment to participating with us as a member of the Stepping Strong 5K Team is an ongoing example of the kindness of the human spirit that our family experienced firsthand in 2013. As you tie up your running (or walking) shoes on April 13, we hope you take pride in knowing that you are helping to transform outcomes for trauma survivors, like our precious daughter Gillian.
To learn about our mission through videos, newsletters, and more, visit www.bwhsteppingstrong.org.
We are so grateful you have decided to support a cause that means so much to us. Thank you helping us turn tragedy into hope.
With love and gratitude,
Audrey, Steven, Danielle, Kyle, Gillian, and Matt
P.S. As we celebrate 10 Years of Stepping Strong and transforming care for trauma survivors, here are two logos that you can use in your email signature, social pushes, text messages, etc. to mark this milestone.
