Hi everyone, my name is MK (Mary Kate) Gallagher! I grew up on the South Shore and watched the Boston Marathon every year, always dreaming of one day running in it! It feels surreal knowing that I will be a participant this year, and to have the opportunity to run for such an amazing organization makes it even more exciting. 

I was a Division 1 rower at the College of the Holy Cross, and on January 15, 2020, my teammate Grace Rett tragically lost her life in a car accident during a team training trip. Grace was a remarkable person whose motto, "Love the fight," has stayed with me ever since. She had an incredible ability to stay optimistic, even in the face of grueling challenges. Grace reminded us how lucky we were to face those struggles, to push ourselves, and to grow stronger through them. Whether it was a tough workout no one was looking forward to or a demanding race, Grace would remind us how fortunate we were to have the opportunity to embrace the struggle.

Now, whenever I face something difficult, I think of Grace and her motto. Running the Boston Marathon, my first marathon, feels like the ultimate test of that philosophy—a chance to take on an extraordinary challenge and truly "love the fight."

This opportunity is even more meaningful to me because my mom has been a Physician Assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for over 28 years. I’ve grown up witnessing the incredible compassion and dedication of the caregivers at the Brigham. Supporting the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation feels like a full-circle moment—a way to give back to a place that has touched so many lives, including mine.

The Stepping Strong Center was established after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, a day that forever changed Boston. Gillian Reny, then a high school senior, was critically injured and rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where her life and legs were saved. Out of gratitude, the Reny family created the center to transform trauma care, help patients regain their strength worldwide, and “step strong” again.

The Stepping Strong Center leads the way in trauma innovation, advancing research, education, and recovery efforts for civilians and military heroes. With more than $30 million raised so far, the center funds groundbreaking initiatives to address trauma—a neglected global epidemic that affects millions each year. Trauma is the leading cause of death for individuals under 44, yet less than 2% of federal funding is dedicated to trauma research. Stepping Strong bridges this gap, turning tragedy into hope for countless survivors and their families.

My roommate and former teammate, Margaux Dowdle, ran for Stepping Strong two years ago and shared how transformative the experience was. Following in her footsteps while honoring Grace’s memory and supporting a cause that changes lives is an incredible privilege. Running the Boston Marathon for Stepping Strong allows me to celebrate resilience and honor the caregivers at the Brigham while raising money for such an impactful and quite literally life-changing charity. Thank you in advance for any and all support during this journey! 

MK :)