The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation hosted the second annual Week of Hope and Healing to celebrate 10 years of Stepping Strong transforming trauma care. Since 2014, we have promised to improve outcomes for trauma survivors by focusing our work across the continuum of trauma care from prevention to treatment and recovery. We are proud to say that we have made significant strides in reducing the burden of traumatic injury and we look forward to even more innovations in the decades ahead.
Starting on April 8, and leading up to the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, the events of the week examined the impact of trauma from multidisciplinary perspectives and inspired participants to take action and raise awareness in their community.
Please see below for more information about each event.
| April 10 – Stepping Strong Injury Prevention Grand Rounds
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Featuring Eddie Cornwell, MD, from Howard University Hospital, the Stepping Strong Injury Prevention Grand Rounds focused on the who, why, and when of Outcomes Disparities Following Major Trauma. |
| April 12 – Stepping Strong and Spaulding Rehabilitation Grand Rounds
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Featuring Danielle Melton, MD, from the University of Colorado, the third annual Stepping Strong and Spaulding Rehabilitation Grand Rounds focused on Innovations in Trauma Rehabilitation and how we can take Stronger Steps Through Teamwork. |
| April 13 – Boston Athletic Association 5K Race
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Our community came together to cheer on the Stepping Strong 5K team and thank them for their commitment to fundraise for trauma research and care. |
| April 15 – 1 Mile To Go One Boston Day Blood Drive and Trauma Awareness Activities
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Blood loss is the leading cause of preventable, injury-related death and every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs blood or platelets. Recognizing that one blood donation can save multiple lives, the Stepping Strong Center partnered with the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and encouraged eligible donors to save lives for patients of traumatic injury and other serious health conditions.
At the inaugural “One-Mile To Go Block Party” at Kenmore Square, Stepping Strong invited visitors to donate blood, write words of encouragement for trauma survivors, learn Stop the Bleed tactics, and cheer on our 2024 Boston Marathon team. |
| April 15 – 128th Boston Marathon
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Stepping Strong welcomed our community to our cheering section at Heartbreak Hill in Newton, and the One-Mile-To-Go festivities at Kenmore Square, to support and encourage our runners as they made their final push toward the 128th Boston Marathon finish line! |
A note of gratitude from the Reny family:
“It is hard to believe that it has been ten years since we established The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation to thank the medical heroes who saved our family and to push forward new ways of helping other trauma survivors. Over the past decade, we have connected people from around the world who are committed to our mission of supporting trauma patients across the continuum of trauma care from prevention to treatment, and recovery. The Stepping Strong community includes brilliant researchers, dedicated clinicians, passionate educators, gritty runners, brave trauma survivors, and more, all with a shared passion and we are honored to call you family.
As we enter the next decade, we have even bigger aspirations—to expand our programs, extend our reach, and continue to fill an underfunded gap in trauma research. We are committed to doing our part to tackle the number one cause of death for people ages 44 and younger. With the support of our Stepping Strong family, we know we will build on our successes and achieve even more in the years ahead.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for 10 years of hope, healing, and #SteppingStrong.”