Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team

The mission of The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation is 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 difference for trauma patients and their families worldwide. To date, the center has raised more than $27 million. But much more needs to be done.

Trauma is referred to as the neglected global epidemic of modern society as it accounts for 38 million emergency department visits and an economic burden of $4.5 trillion every year. Despite being the leading cause of death for people ages 44 and younger and claiming the life of 1 person every 2 minutes, less than 2% of federal funding is allocated to trauma research. That is why the Stepping Strong Center helps patients along the entire continuum of trauma care by educating the public on evidence-based interventions to prevent injuries from ever occurring, funding research that will revolutionize trauma care, and advancing patient recovery to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes. Through each stage of prevention, treatment, and recovery, the Stepping Strong Center remains committed to fueling research, advancing education, building community, and inspiring advocacy.

Traumatic injuries are complex and require multidisciplinary solutions, which is why the Stepping Strong Center brings together experts from numerous medical specialties and other industries to establish how to better care for patients before, during, and after a traumatic injury. When you support a member of the Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team, you are helping Stepping Strong turn tragedy into hope for civilian and military heroes worldwide who have suffered devastating traumatic injuries.

Funds raised by the team will

• Fund innovative research projects that address clinical problems impacting both civilian and military patients, including the Ewing Amputation, a revolutionary lower extremity procedure first featured on CNN.
  
• Train the next generation of medical leaders in advanced techniques for treating acute and complex traumatic injuries, through the Stepping Strong Fellowship program.
  
• Fuel collaborations between multidisciplinary scientists from fields including limb reconstruction, advanced stem cell technology, bioengineering, wound healing, bone healing, skin and nerve regeneration, and more from institutions including Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School.
  
• Support outreach activities that utilize evidence-based education to empower citizens to reduce the number and severity of traumatic injuries, through the Stepping Strong Injury Prevention Program.
  
• Inspire policy changes to encourage the safety of citizens and the prevention of traumatic injuries.
  
• Help trauma survivors in their long-term recovery process by providing them assistance with basic needs that can improve their quality of life after suffering a traumatic injury.

In their own words

"The virtual experience and team support were amazing. We look forward to running again." –Charles and Pauline Santry, 2020 virtual team

"The support the Stepping Strong Team provides is above and beyond what I imagined. The experience of running with Stepping Strong has been so incredible!" —Sameera Mathan, 2019 team

"When I discovered the Stepping Strong team, I was sold. I thought to myself, ‘I need to do this’. I’ve seen firsthand how the funds raised help doctors and researchers develop better ways to help and heal patients. Being a part of the Stepping Strong team provided me the opportunity to give back in a different way." —Kimberly Cardillo, 2018 team

"I love the Boston Marathon because of the energy, camaraderie, and kindness that surrounds every runner and circles the whole city and Stepping Strong is at the center of that positivity! I am so impressed by how much the center has grown and accomplished and can’t wait to see it continue to grow and accomplish the unthinkable." —Rachel Bliss, 2018 team

"It was an honor to run in support of the Stepping Strong Center. To know who and what I am running for made all the difference when my legs were cramping and my muscles were begging me to stop running. There is nothing like representing the Boston Strong spirit that defines our city on such an emotional day." —Matt McGaffigan, 2018 team

"We live a long way from Boston, so I was not aware of the broad support for Stepping Strong in the city. Wearing the Stepping Strong singlet seemed to transform me to royalty. The members of the team I met on race day were awesome. I definitely plan to support Stepping Strong runners in future Boston marathons." —Win Porter, 2015 team

"Being a part of the Stepping Strong team has been such a rewarding experience. It is amazing to see how strongly people feel about this cause. By spreading awareness about trauma research and care, I have received unbridled support and enthusiasm from Boston residents, as well as family and friends throughout the country." —Olivia Tomeo, 2015 team

To learn more, contact Ali Luthman at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or 857 505 1225. For information about Stepping Strong news, events, and funded program areas visit www.bwhsteppingstrong.org.