Gratitude.
That is the word that comes to mind when I hear the name
Mass General Hospital. Gratitude for the world-class care I was given by the
doctors there, exactly one year ago, when I was admitted for a third and final
major surgery in my lifetime (and two in 11 months) due to complications from
pediatric cancer.
Six weeks after I was wheeled into the recovery room, I once
again laced up on my running shoes, new scars and all. Because of the amazing
care I received at MGH, I was running the 2013 Boston Marathon.
Gratitude.
That was the overwhelming emotion
leading up to April 15. I had a hell of a year. The Boston Marathon was to be
my comeback.
In doing so, I asked for your help. And you responded in a
way that took my breath away. And then I ran a race that will forever be my favorite race.
And as I turned from the roar of the finish line crowd to hobble
towards my medal, the first bomb went off.
My heart was utterly broken. I cried, like, all the time. But in
the midst of it all, and while I continued to process what happened and
reconcile my greatest triumph with our city's greatest heartbreak, I reminded
myself of all the good that was April 15. Of the passion, dedication, cheers,
and motivation that make the Boston Marathon one of the best races in the world.
And most of all, of the men and women
of our city who leapt into action when our city needed them most. Many of those
men and women were members of the MGH Emergency Response Team. I am so
proud that the hospital that I feel such a strong emotional connection to played
such a leading role in the emergency response of the Boston Marathon bombs.
Because of men and women like those,
of the outpouring of passion and pride from everyone in Boston, I can say with
certainty that this is still our (fucking) city. The Boston Marathon is still
our race. As of 2:50 p.m. last Patriot’s Day, I swore I would find a way to toe
the line in 2014. And once again, MGH is giving me that chance.
I am running the 2014 Boston Marathon
for the Mass General Hospital Emergency Response Fund. Of the 39 Boston Marathon victims treated at MGH, the most
gravely wounded suffered from traumatic amputations, severe blood loss, and
third-degree burns. In the tragedy’s wake, MGH began raising funds to support
their Emergency Response Fund. And now, I am a part of that effort. Please help
me in supporting the program that provides social services for victims and
families of disasters, as well as emergency care, disaster relief, and disaster
preparedness training by MGH.
I am so proud to be a part of this team.
I am so proud to be a part of this team.
LET’S DO THIS THING. Will you donate? #Run4MGH
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