2025 Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team: Monica Woodward

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm excited to share that I've been selected to run the 129th Boston Marathon to raise funds for the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.As many of you know, Danny was a passionate runner who ran the Boston Marathon in 2017 and 2019. His love for the race was ignited after the tragic bombing of 2013. Inspired by the city's resilience, he dedicated himself to running this iconic marathon.

Tragically, Danny passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Despite his illness, he continued to run, inspiring those around him with his unwavering spirit.

To honor Danny's memory and carry on his legacy of giving back, I’ve committed to running the Boston Marathon. I'm dedicating each mile of the race (all 26.2 of them) to friends and family who have supported me.

Will you join me in this effort?

By donating to my campaign, you'll be helping to fund groundbreaking research and support survivors of trauma. Every dollar counts.

Here's how you can contribute:

Dedicate a Mile: Donate $350+ to sponsor a specific mile.
Half a Mile: Donate $175
Quarter Mile: Donate $100
Any Amount: Your generosity will make a difference.

Did you know that many employers will offer to match your charitable contribution—allowing you to double the impact of your gift? CLICK HERE to see if your company participates in a matching program.

Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of others.

With sincere gratitude, Monica

Gillian Reny's Story

In 2013, Boston was changed forever when a beautiful Marathon Monday turned into a senseless tragedy. Gillian Reny, then a high school senior, was one of 39 critically injured patients rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where doctors and nurses saved her life and legs. With gratitude to the Brigham, the Reny family established The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation to help other trauma patients regain their strength and ability to step strong once again.The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation aims to catalyze trauma innovation for injured civilians and military heroes through multidisciplinary investigative collaborations across the continuum of trauma care, from prevention to treatment and recovery. Stepping Strong-funded initiatives are making a profound impact on trauma survivors and their families worldwide. The center has raised more than $30 million to fuel trauma research, advance education, build community, and inspire advocacy. But much more needs to be done.Trauma is a neglected global epidemic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control:

Trauma is the number one cause of death for people 44 or younger, ahead of cancer and heart disease.
Traumatic injuries comprise 40% of visits to emergency departments.
More than $2 trillion per year is spent on decreased productivity, work loss, and medical costs due to traumatic injuries.
Despite the significant burden of trauma, less than 2% of federal funding is allocated toward trauma research, inhibiting our ability to understand how to prevent, treat, and improve recovery from traumatic injury.

The Stepping Strong Center remains committed to serving as a leader in trauma research and innovation to bridge this gap and advance the field of trauma care. When you support a member of the Brigham's Stepping Strong Boston Marathon Team, you are helping the center turn tragedy into hope for civilians and military heroes worldwide who have suffered devastating traumatic injuries.

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.

Achievements

Self-Gift Badge

I'm a runner and a Brigham donor!

Personal Progress:

of Goal

$10,714 Raised

$10,000.00

Honor Roll

Anonymous

Chris and Susan Velez

$175

Dawn Carter

$100

erik sandvig

$100

IBM Employee Giving Program

$100

Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies

$100

Kelly Hawks

$100

Marathonmikey

$500

Mark, Cynthia and R.B.III Drennan

$100

Mary and Pete Meador

$100

Mike Kelleher

$2,000

Monica Woodward

$500

Ms. Melissa Robins Haas

Noralisa Clay

$100

Patrick Gillespie

$250

Rosemary Eldridge

$100

Ryan Middleton

$250

Sarah Look

$100

Tammy Haas

Tracey Faulkinbury

$100

Honor Roll

Alexis and John Sharp

Anonymous

Carrie Roth

$52

Charlotte Whitlock

$50

Chris and Susan Velez

$175

Chris Mason

Cindy Herstek

$50

Craig & Andrea Herndon

Dawn Carter

$100

erik sandvig

$100

IBM Employee Giving Program

$100

Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies

$100

Katie Buran

$50

Kelly Hawks

$100

Kevin McBreen

$50

Larry and Linda Woodward

$26

Lenora Mariner

$26

Marathonmikey

$500

Mark, Cynthia and R.B.III Drennan

$100

Mary and Pete Meador

$100

Meredith

$26

Mike Kelleher

$2,000

Monica Woodward

$500

Mrs. Jaime Ebanks

Mrs. Noralisa Clay

$26

Ms. Melissa Robins Haas

Noralisa Clay

$100

Patrick Gillespie

$250

Patrick Gillespie

$26

Rosemary Eldridge

$100

Ryan Middleton

$250

Sarah Look

$100

Susan Ann J Glass

$26

Tammy Haas

Teresa Dulaney-Dewald

$26

Tina S

Tracey Faulkinbury

$100

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It's 26.2 Miles from Here to Boston