Hi! I'm Mia Naman and I am beyond honored and elated to be running the 129th Boston Marathon for the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Stepping Strong Marathon Team!!!

My father grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, living through the Lebanese Civil War. Due to terrorism, hate, and violence, he was forced to relocate to the United States at age 9. Despite the fact that he was unscathed, many people who live through traumatic events do not have this privilege. I’m running for Team Stepping Strong to research trauma and to create a better world for those affected by it. Survivors deserve to be seen, heard, loved, and supported. When running and training for this marathon, I will remember that each mile is a step closer to preventing trauma and saving survivors!

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 and Women’s hospital, 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.

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. Stepping Strong funded initiatives are making a profound impact on trauma survivors and their families worldwide. The center has raised more than $30 million to fuel trauma research, advance education, build community, and inspire advocacy. But much more needs to be done.Trauma is a neglected global epidemic and the number one cause of death for people 44 or younger, ahead of cancer and heart disease (CDC).

The Stepping Strong Center serves as a leader in trauma research and innovation to bridge this gap and advance the field of trauma care. When you support a member of the Brigham's Stepping Strong Boston Marathon Team, you are helping the center turn tragedy into hope for civilians and military heroes worldwide who have suffered devastating traumatic injuries. The research, treatment, and care provided by the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center is truly life-changing and I can't wait to help patients regain their strength and ability to step strong once again! 

No donation is too small and every donation is greatly appreciated as it will help to support the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation!

Let's do this thing!!!

Love,

Mia

Learn more about the Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at the Brigham: www.bwhsteppingstrong.org 

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