My name is Mia, and I’m a senior at Harvard College running the Boston Marathon this spring to benefit Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

During my first semester of college, I sustained an injury while rock climbing at a routine club practice. Assuming it was minor, I ignored a dull chest pain for several days -- until it worsened enough that I sought care at the nearest hospital, where I was admitted with a rapidly collapsing lung.

After several days of unsuccessful non-surgical treatment, I was taken into surgery. The first attempt failed, triggering intense bronchial spasms and cutting off sufficient oxygen flow to my brain; I was placed on a ventilator and immediately transferred to the ICU at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where an extraordinary team of thoracic surgeons performed a life-saving surgery.

The BWH staff were (quite literally) holding me each step of the way -- they taught me how to walk, breathe, and move again. I started running at the suggestion of my surgeon, who noted that I needed to reinflate my left lung and rebuild my cardiovascular capacity. Prior to surgery, I'd never run more than a mile and I'd certainly never been excited to run. One mile quickly turned into two miles which eventually turned into ten; after running my first half marathon exactly one year after my hospital discharge, I started to think about running Boston for Brigham and Women's Hospital.

I can confidently say that I wouldn't be alive without the dedicated team of doctors, trauma surgeons, ICU nurses, EMTs, and Harvard Medical School residents at BWH. The surgery I received there allows me to live a nearly symptom-free life and I'll never be able to adequately repay my debt to the BWH team. The medical professionals there continue to save lives like mine every day, and the donations they receive directly support the care, research, and compassion that sustain life-saving work every day.

Whether we see each other daily or haven't crossed paths in years, it would mean the world (and more) if you'd consider donating or passing this link along. 

Or, feel free to Venmo me and I will make the donation on your behalf (that's why it says "Mia DiLorenzo" below a few times)! Let me know if this process is easier for you -- my Venmo is @miadilorenzo.

I truly can't think of a better way to finish my time at Harvard than running Boston for BWH; I'm perpetually grateful for this city and will forever be thankful that I found a second home here.

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