I am thrilled to announce that I will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon for Brigham and Women’s Hospital Stepping Strong team. I have had the privilege of working as a nurse at the Brigham on the Urology and Plastic Surgery Intermediate care unit for the past two years. I care for patients recovering from a wide range of extensive surgeries, and it amazes me at how strong these patients are during the post-surgical obstacles and trauma they face, both physically and mentally. Their strength is my motivation for crossing the finish line in April.

The high level of care that I am able to provide with the help of my incredible colleagues would not be attainable without the research and innovation efforts from the Stepping Strong Gillian Reny Foundation. Your donation will specifically fuel trauma research to support those who have suffered traumatic injuries. 

Help me reach my fundraising goal of $9,000 by donating here or my Venmo @sarah-mcloughney. 

It has been a dream of mine to run the Boston Marathon after cheering on my dad as he crossed the finish line for two consecutive years. I cannot wait to achieve this goal with your help! Please continue reading all about the amazing efforts of the Stepping Strong team below!

In 2016, I lost a dear friend of mine, Kate, who I had the honor of running with in high school. I am excited to not only run for such an incredible organization like Stepping Strong, but I would like to do this to honor her. This one is for you Kate! 

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.

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