Hello everyone! My name is Elisia Gallo, and I am honored to be running the 2026 Boston Marathon with the Brigham and Women’s Stepping Strong Foundation, an organization whose mission has become incredibly meaningful to me. As part of this journey, I’m working to raise $15,000 to support their lifesaving trauma research, innovation, and patient care.

The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation was founded in the wake of the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy. After a senseless act of violence left Gillian, then a high school senior, and many others' lives forever changed. Gillian was rushed to the Brigham and Women's Hospital, where doctors and nurses saved her life and legs. Her survival inspired her family to create a center dedicated to transforming trauma care. Today, Stepping Strong advances research, treatment, recovery, and innovation for civilians and military heroes worldwide. Despite trauma being the leading cause of death for people under 44 and responsible for 40% of ER visits, less than 2% of federal funding supports trauma research. Stepping Strong is working to change that, and I am proud to support them.

This mission became personal for me two summers ago. My father, Mario, along with his two good friends, Jay and Timmy, were out riding their motorcycles when a truck made an illegal U-turn directly in their path. Jay and Timmy were struck, and Timmy was thrown nearly 20 feet. My dad was first on the scene and used his belt as a tourniquet, with the help of his friend Jay—an action that ultimately saved Timmy’s life and leg. Timmy is still working closely with medical teams today, which has made me deeply aware of how important trauma care and innovation truly are. I have also seen the importance of trauma care through my mother, Kelly, who has spent over 25 years as an operating room nurse. From her, I learned that in moments of crisis, it’s the combination of skill, calm confidence, and compassion that can change the course of someone’s life.

As a senior at Boston College, this feels like the perfect moment to take on this challenge—not only to train for 26.2 miles, but to commit myself fully to raising funds that protect and restore lives. I am ready to bring that same dedication, energy, and creativity to reaching my $15,000 fundraising goal.

I will be running this race for the trauma survivors I love, for families like mine who know how fragile life can be, and for the medical teams who give people the chance to keep stepping strong. Every single donation—big or small—directly fuels trauma innovation, improves patient outcomes, and brings hope to those rebuilding their lives.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. It means more than you know. ❤