Spaulding’s Race for Rehab Marathon Team Running the Boston Marathon to Improve Care for Patients

Charlestown, MA - This year’s Boston Marathon for the city of Boston and for the entire country will be a memorable event.  For twelve Charlestown residents, this marathon has even more significance as they will embark on their 26.2 mile journey as part of Spaulding Rehab Hospital’s Race for Rehab team. 

In total, Spaulding has 100 runners taking part in the 118th Boston Marathon.  The team is comprised of former patients, former patient’s family members, Spaulding staff, community leaders, and rehabilitation advocates.  Each member of the Race for Rehab team is required to raise a minimum of $5,000 with a team goal to raise $750,000.  The funds raised this year by the team will be used to name the 5th floor Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program at Spaulding in honor of the care that was provided to the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings. 

With less than 50 days until the marathon, these runners are training hard through the tough New England winter and fundraising. 

Charlestown residents running include, Ali and Adam Fornash.  As a Boston Police Officer, Adam knows how the events of April 15, 2013 shook those in law enforcement to their core. Looking forward, after Boylston Street returned to business as usual and he and his coworkers were back to their normal patrols, the work to help those affected by this tragedy continued behind the scenes. Ali, working at the Navy Yard Bistro, met many folks that came from the Spaulding Rehab Hospital across the street to enjoy their first meal out in months.

Other Charlestown residents include members of Spaulding’s staff including Suzanne Adams, Ali Stoll, Karis Antokal, and David Storto. 

David Storto, President of Spaulding is an avid marathon runner; this will be David’s 11thmarathon, 7th Boston Marathon.  Last April, David was on Mass Avenue about to finish the race when he was stopped.  For David, the marathon this year will be even more memorable as he knows the vital role Spaulding played for the survivors in the months following the bombings.  This year will also be a family affair as David is training along with son Max and daughter Mara.

In addition other Charlestown residents running for Spaulding include: Kate Pedersen, Arthur Smith, Anna Geraty, Anne Helm, Marci Jones and Mara Storto.

The perseverance and dedication of Spaulding’s Race for Rehab Boston Marathon team reinforces Spaulding’s slogan, find your strength, a motivational testament to Spaulding’s patients who are rebuilding their mind, body and spirit.

For more information about the team or to support a runner visit our  website at www.spauldingrehab.org/raceforrehab.