On the Run for a Cause: Myra Lolkema & Stepping Strong
Take a moment and ask yourself how many people you love have been affected by trauma, whether from a car accident, domestic violence, a brain or spinal cord injury, suicide, drug-related injuries, or drowning. I’m sure you can name at least one, and likely more, I know I can. If you’ve seen the back of my car, you’ve noticed my Suicide Awareness license plate, and if you’ve known me over the past five years, you know I also recovered from a spinal cord injury, and in 2020 I knew what it felt like to rush my child to the emergency room after having his head split open by a golf club swing resulting in the fear of a scull fracture and brain swelling. Trauma is the number one cause of death for people ages 1-44 and over 40 million emergency room visits are due to a traumatic injury. Beyond the devastating human toll, the economic impact is staggering, injuries cost more than $4.2 trillion annually in medical care and lost productivity, and traumatic brain injuries alone claimed more than 64,000 lives in the U.S. in 2020. The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation is funding groundbreaking research that is truly changing lives, from a nasal spray that reduces inflammation after traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, to an AI-powered tool that helps detect intimate partner violence, to a novel gene therapy designed to heal fractured bones. These numbers represent real people, real families, and real communities, underscoring the urgent need for innovative research, prevention, and trauma care to save lives.
For every loved one we know who has been impacted by trauma, I hope you’ll join me in supporting The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation and the life-saving work they make possible. Together, we can give the people we love most a better chance at healing through the Center’s life-changing research and innovation.
About Gillian Reny
Standing near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, Gillian Reny's life changed forever. A senseless act of violence left her with traumatic injuries, but the efforts of a multidisciplinary medical team at Brigham and Women's Hospital saved her life and legs. In gratitude, her family established The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at the Brigham, where today, Gillian's strength drives a relentless pursuit to transform how we prevent, treat, and recover from traumatic injury, the leading cause of death for people ages 44 and younger in the United States.The Stepping Strong Center unites healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community members to revolutionize trauma care and rebuild lives. Here's how:- Fuel Research: We support clinical studies and collaborative projects that accelerate solutions and improve trauma patient outcomes
- Reimagine Care: We embrace the latest research to redefine best practices and transform trauma care for survivors
- Advance Education: We train the next generation of trauma leaders and empower the public to respond to trauma
- Inspire Advocacy: We champion trauma survivors and injury prevention by raising awareness, supporting policy initatives, and improving public safety
When you support a member of the Stepping Strong Boston Marathon Team, you're helping us turn tragedy into hope for civilian and military heroes who have suffered devastating traumatic injuries. As a solely philanthropically funded center, we depend on generous donations like yours to sustain our life-changing programs and initiatives.
Thank you for supporting this extraordinary group of runners and continuing to honor the Boston Strong spirit that still defines our city today. Learn more about the Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at the Brigham: www.bwhsteppingstrong.org Qualified runners are encouraged to join our team as well.
Brigham and Women's Hospital is a proud partner of the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program.
