Special Delivery Coming Your Way + Updates

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

Your official Stepping Strong marathon team gear is headed your way via FedEx! 🎉 Once it arrives, please try everything on as soon as possible. If you experience any sizing issues, or if your package has not been received by the end of February, please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu right away so we can assist.

Team Office Hours

Office hours are available for questions, fundraising guidance, or general support. Please drop in at any of the times below:

Fundraising Tip

Instead of posting a general “Please support my fundraiser,” try being specific about the amount and the impact. For example:

  • “I’m looking for 10 people to donate $26, one dollar for every mile of the marathon.”
  • “Would you consider sponsoring one mile for $26?”
  • “Help me reach my next goal of X by Marathon Monday!”

When donors know exactly how much you’re asking for and what it represents, they’re much more likely to give. A clear goal and a tight timeline can make all the difference!

Donor Questions & Donor Advised Fund Gifts

Friendly reminder for you and your donors that the best way to get questions answered is to reach out to me directly (marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu and/or 857 505 1225), rather than contacting the general development office or Kiran Rai. I will triage all inquiries and make sure each gift question is processed quickly and accurately! For additional guidance about gifts, you can also refer to the second team meeting PowerPoint by clicking here, which has all the relevant information laid out clearly.

From start to finish,

Ali

A Special Message from the Reny family

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

We are so honored that you’ve joined the Stepping Strong Marathon team in support of the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. Your dedication means the world to not just our family, but to all the trauma survivors whose lives are being transformed through the Stepping Strong Center’s groundbreaking research and programs.  

This Valentine’s Day, we want to take a moment to share how much we love and appreciate your commitment to this cause. Our passion for supporting trauma survivors comes from love—love for our precious daughter, the incredible Brigham physicians who saved her, the family and friends who stood by us, and every single person who has become part of the Stepping Strong family, including you.  

When our family stood at the Boston Marathon finish line in April 2013, we had no idea how, in an instant, our lives would change forever. But through tragedy, we found purpose. As we count down to race day on April 20, we hope you feel immense pride in knowing that your efforts are making a tangible difference for trauma survivors everywhere. Every step you take is part of something bigger—a movement of hope and healing.  

Wishing you an extra special Valentine’s Day! We hope it’s filled with love, joy, and maybe a little extra chocolate. â¤ď¸  

With heartfelt gratitude and lots of love,    

Audrey, Steven, Danielle, Kyle, Elyse, Gillian, and Matt 

Marathon Team Update #8

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

Team Gathering on 2/23

There was a change in schedule and the Renys are now hosting a final small team gathering (in-person) on 2/23! If you are available and would like to attend, there are limited spots, so click here to RSVP!

Fundraising Tip

Reach out to your network on Saturday, February 14 and ask them to share the LOVE and support your upcoming run! See below for language you can personalize for an email/text/social post.

This Valentine’s Day, I invite you to share the love by supporting the Stepping Strong Marathon Team. As I train for the historic Boston Marathon, my teammates and I are doing more than preparing for a race, we are running to transform the lives of trauma survivors.

Every mile is a labor of love, fueled by our commitment to advancing trauma research and care through the Stepping Strong Center. Your support won’t just carry me to the start and across the finish line, but it will help provide critical funding for research grants, educational programs, and patient-focused initiatives, to develop innovative treatments that revolutionize trauma care and rebuild lives.

If you’re able, please consider making a gift today. You can visit my fundraising page here: <INSERT LINK>.

Thank you for sharing the love and being part of this journey with me.

Donor Questions & Donor Advised Fund Gifts

Friendly reminder for you and your donors that the best way to get questions answered is to reach out to me directly (marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu and/or 857 505 1225), rather than contacting the general development office or Kiran Rai. I will triage all inquiries and make sure each gift question is processed quickly and accurately! Here are a few key reminders:

  • Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Gifts: Donors can use their DAF to support your fundraising. All they need is the following information:
    • Tax ID: 04-2312909
    • Charitable/Non-Profit Organization Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Mass General Brigham
    • Address: 263 Huntington Ave. #318, Boston, MA 02115-4506
    • Designation/Comments: Stepping Strong Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Support of <RUNNER NAME> Marathon Run.
    • Donor Advised Fund Gifts are also known as Charitable Funds, Family Funds, etc.
  • Please ensure donors know you’re fundraising for the Stepping Strong Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
    • Some donors are disputing their donations because they do not recognize the charge on their credit cards
    • Disputed charges are reversed and removed from your fundraising page.
    • Credit card charges appear on statements as ‘Brigham and Women’s Hosp’

For additional guidance about gifts, you can also refer to the second team meeting PowerPoint by clicking here, which has all the relevant information laid out clearly.

Team Office Hours

Office hours are available for questions, fundraising guidance, or general support. Please drop in at any of the times below:

From start to finish,

Ali

A message from Cheryl Lang, Stepping Strong Center Program Director

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

Hi Team!

It was a pleasure meeting a few of you at the Reny small team dinner this week. I enjoyed learning more about each of you and your motivation for running with Team Stepping Strong. During the evening, a question came up about how to talk about the Stepping Strong Center’s work and our definition of traumatic injury. 

I’ve shared our elevator pitch and definition below and hope you find this helpful in your fundraising efforts.

Elevator Pitch: 

Founded by survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing, The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation transforms how we prevent, treat, and recover from traumatic injury—the number one cause of death for people under 44 in the United States. Through research grants, educational programs, and patient-focused initiatives, the center unites healthcare professionals to develop innovative treatments that revolutionize trauma care and rebuild lives.

Definition of Traumatic Injury:

Traumatic injury is sudden intentional or unintentional exposure to an external force, object, or substance resulting in severe or life-threatening bodily harm. Examples include, but are not limited to, injuries from motor vehicle crashes, violence, blasts, drownings, natural disasters, and falls.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if I can assist with anything throughout the remainder of your marathon season. On behalf of the team, we wish you all the best of luck with your training and can’t wait to cheer for you on Marathon Monday!

Cheryl Lang

P.S. Be sure to check out the following one-pagers as they have great information for you and your donors:

Marathon Team Update #7

Posted on by Alisheya Luthman

We hope your training and fundraising efforts are going well as we get closer to Marathon Monday. Below are this week’s key updates and reminders to help you stay on track.

Donor Support

Please share my contact information with your donors and encourage them to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding their gifts. I am happy to help manage and triage inquiries quickly and appropriately.

Marathon Madness

Congratulations to our January winners:

  • Three-way tie for most funds raised: Luis B., Robin V., and Linda S.
  • Most individual donations received: Elise W.

Thank you for your incredible efforts – swag is headed your way!

Team Office Hours

Office hours are available for questions, fundraising guidance, or general support. Please drop in at any of the times below:

Virtual Team Gathering

There are still spots available for the 2/24 virtual gathering with the Reny’s, click here to RSVP!

Training & Coaching Support

Coach John Furey continues to provide training guidance for runners of all experience levels. Team training runs remain an excellent opportunity to build mileage, connect with fellow runners, and stay motivated. I will be there on Saturday to support you at the first waterstop, so be sure to say hello!

Submit your photos!

Make sure to send us your photos for a marathon weekend surprise! Click here to share with us!

Fundraising Tip

Reach out directly to a small group of people who know you well with a personalized message rather than a broad social media post. A short, sincere email or text explaining why you’re running and what the Stepping Strong Center means to you often results in higher-impact gifts. Even 5–10 individual outreach messages can make a big difference! And remember no response doesn’t mean no!

From start to finish,

Ali