It’s that time of year again—Boston Marathon season.

OUR STORY

For our family, this is always a moment of reflection, where the sorrow of 2013 blends with the hope and progress that have grown from it. On April 15, 2013, our daughter Gillian was critically injured at the Boston Marathon finish line and rushed to Brigham and Women's Hospital, where a multidisciplinary team of medical heroes saved her life and both of her legs. With gratitude and a determination to transform trauma care for others, we founded The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation to advance the entire continuum of trauma care from prevention to treatment and recovery. Today, it is a thriving hub where research drives innovation, education empowers communities, and clinical care is reimagined for survivors worldwide.

Each year, the Boston Marathon season propels this work forward. Steven and I are honored to serve as team captains and have shown our commitment with a $100,000 donation.

OUR IMPACT

In 2024–25 alone:

●     $650,000 awarded to accelerate innovative research projects

●     190+ published studies advancing trauma care

●     $75,000 provided to support patients' essential life needs

●     650+ people trained in lifesaving emergency response skills

These numbers represent real solutions: new treatments reaching patients, communities better prepared to respond to emergencies, and survivors supported on the road to recovery.

WHAT YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS

Trauma remains one of the most underfunded areas in medicine. In 2025, the center received a record $4.3 million in research funding requests and could fund less than 7% of these transformative projects. Your gift directly closes that gap, fueling seed grants for early-stage research, supporting patient recovery programs, and expanding our reach to survivors who need it most.

With your support, we can change the future for trauma patients worldwide. Please join us and make a gift today by clicking GIVE NOW in the upper right-hand corner of the page and help our team cross the $1.8M finish line.

If you’ve already contributed, we sincerely appreciate your kindness and philanthropy. For help with a donation or DAF, please reach out to Ali Luthman Wheeler.

With love, Audrey and Steven (and our growing family—Danielle, Kyle, Elyse, Gillian, Matt, and Leo)