Today people are running in the Boston Marathon. For Paul Brogna, he is running for a great cause. Paul was inspired to run the 2018 Boston Marathon to raise money for Brigham and Women’s Hospital Why? Well he will tell you that their team of doctors and nurses literally saved his child’s life.

Luca-NICU

Paul’s son, Luca.

Paul and his son’s story….

Last year on April 22nd Paul’s son, Luca was born and immediately admitted to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He stayed there for 13 days. Paul writes on his website site that is was a traumatic experience that his wife and him will never forget. Paul kept an online journal of his experience with his son. You can read that journal called Luca’s Story.

Paul talked about his emotions to a local paper in the Boston area. “Paul told the newspaper, “I picked up his hand, and it was floppy. One second everything was fine, and the next it was, ‘Will my baby live?’ It was a very out-of-body experience.”

Luca was born with a serious infection. To make matters worse there were further complications as the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice. Luca was taken away to the neonatal intensive care unit. Paul and his wife, Kelsey were shocked and horrified with what was going on.

Paul and his wife were so thankful for what Brigham and Women’s Hospital did that he made the “The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at BWH” his choice charity. He wants to raise as much money as he can for that hospital and charity.

Paul-Boston-Marathon

Paul getting ready for the Boston Marathon.

How Paul is looking to help…

What he experienced with Luca at the hospital made him realize how much money, effort and support is needed to treat a patient. So he wanted to raise money for the hospital by running the Boston Marathon today. It has always been a dream of his and has never been more motivated to raise money for the hospital.

For Paul when people support a member of the 2018 BWH Stepping Strong Marathon Team, you are helping that hospital turn tragedy into hope for trauma patients like Gillian so they can regain their strength and ability to step strong once again.  

 Well done Paul! You are a great dad and you are inspiring others to help those in need. We here at Life of Dad love the work you are doing!

For more stories like this read our interview with Dick Hoyt, who ran the Boston Marathon to help his son!