In 2013, Boston was changed forever when a beautiful Marathon Monday turned into a senseless tragedy. Gillian Reny, then a high school senior, was one of the 39 critically injured patients rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where doctors and nurses saved her life and both of her legs. In gratitude to the Brigham, the Reny family established The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation to help other trauma patients like Gillian regain their strength and ability to step strong once again.

 

The mission of The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation is to catalyze trauma innovation for injured civilians and military heroes, through multidisciplinary investigative collaborations across the continuum of trauma care, from prevention to treatment and recovery. Stepping Strong funded initiatives are making a profound difference for trauma patients and their families worldwide. To date, the center has raised more than $27 million. But much more needs to be done.

 

Trauma is often referred to as the neglected global epidemic of modern society. According to the Centers for Disease Control: 

• Trauma is the number one cause of death for people 44 or younger, ahead of cancer and heart disease
• More than $2 trillion per year is spent on decreased productivity, work loss and medical costs due to traumatic injuries
• Trauma accounts for more than 300,000 deaths annually in the U.S., often leaving survivors with permanent mental and physical disabilities
• Traumatic injuries comprise 40% of visits to emergency departments
• Less than 2% of NIH funding is allocated toward trauma research, perpetuating enormous human and financial costs

The Stepping Strong Center remains absolutely committed to filling this gap. When you support a member of the Brigham's Stepping Strong Marathon Team, you are helping the center turn tragedy into hope for civilians and military heroes worldwide who have suffered devastating traumatic injuries.

 

 

Qualified runners encouraged to join our team as well.