I remember the day in 2013 when lives changed forever in Boston. I was just beginning the chapter that would make Boston my home for the next ten years, and like so many people, I felt the shock, the heartbreak, and the incredible resilience that followed. The spirit of that city, and the inspiring strength of the women and men who survived trauma and came out stronger, has stayed with me ever since. Even now, living thousands of miles away in Switzerland, the spirit of Boston still inspires me. 

As a 44-year-old woman who has spent her career in healthcare, I understand how quickly life can shift. Trauma affects everything, not only the body but also the emotional and mental world a person lives in. That is why I am running the 2026 Boston Marathon for Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. Their mission goes far beyond treating injuries. They focus on the full spectrum of trauma recovery, uniting clinicians, researchers, mental health experts, and advocates to help survivors rebuild their bodies, their confidence, and their lives.

Standing Strong is not just a slogan. It is a commitment to fueling trauma research, reimagining care, supporting both mental and physical recovery, educating the next generation of trauma leaders, and empowering survivors to reclaim their futures. This work matters deeply to me, because I know what it means for someone to get a second chance, to walk or run again, to feel safe again, and to feel whole again.

Running 26.2 miles is nothing compared to the journey trauma survivors face. But this is my way of giving back, honoring the resilience I witnessed in Boston, and supporting a cause that is truly worthy. This run brings me home in a way, back to the city that shaped me and closer to the people whose strength continues to inspire me.

If you choose to support this run, you are helping trauma survivors receive the innovation, care, and hope they deserve. You are helping transform tragedy into healing and helping rebuild lives where it matters most.

Thank you for supporting this mission and carrying forward the spirit of Boston Strong!

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