Hi, my name is Caroline and thanks for visiting my fundraising page! The memories I made years ago as a patient and parent at Brigham & Women’s Hospital had a profound impact on my family during our son, JJ’s, NICU journey. We will be forever grateful to the amazing doctors and nurses who lovingly cared for him (and us!). The lucky day we took JJ home I said to myself, “One day I will find a way to give back to this incredible hospital”. And that day is now! 

I am honored to pay it forward to Brigham & Women’s hospital and am fundraising to support the The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation.

GILLIAN'S STORY - TURNING TRAGEDY INTO HOPE

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 39 critically injured patients rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where doctors and nurses saved her life and legs. With gratitude to the Brigham, the Reny family established The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation to help other trauma patients regain their strength and ability to step strong once again. The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation aims 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. 

MY STORY

Flashback 5 years, I’m a wife and Mom of 2 young kids, excited to be expecting baby #3 to complete our family of 5. In the early stages of my pregnancy, it was discovered I had a condition which would require a specialist to closely follow my pregnancy. Living in a suburb near Boston, I was so fortunate that a renowned surgeon in this specialty was located at the Brigham. And so began months of careful planning toward a healthy and safe delivery – knowing all along it would be an early one. The question, how early?

On February 3, 2020, our sweet baby James Joseph “JJ” arrived at 32 weeks. And so began the ups and downs – and there were many – caring for a child with complications in the NICU, my family at home, and recovering myself. For 7 weeks, the Brigham was JJ’s “home away from home” and each visit to the hospital was a reminder to take every day one step at a time until he was ready to come home. And on lucky March 17, 2020, he did. My family will be forever grateful for the care we received. 

It is for Gillian’s story, mine as a former patient, and all of the recipients of the amazing care Brigham & Women’s continues to provide that I humbly ask for your support. Your donation will make a difference to advance trauma innovation, research, and care for the benefit of patients worldwide. 

WITH GRATITUDE

For anyone who knows me well, running has been a passion throughout my life and “Running Boston” has always been a dream. Hours spent on the road gives you a lot of time to think – and I find myself often reflecting on the rollercoaster my family has been on these past 5 years and I am consumed with what can only be summed up in one word - grateful. Grateful to my wonderful husband and 3 kids who are my pride and joy, my loving family, dear friends and colleagues who are truly our village. Words can't sum up how much I appreciate your support.

I'm honored to join the Brigham team on April 21st at the start line in Hopkinton, the town and wonderful community my family is so lucky to call home, on the iconic route to Boston!

Caroline

Brigham and Women's Hospital is a proud partner of the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program

Learn more about the Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at the Brigham: https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu