More than 600 runners on the Brigham and Women’s Hospital team took to the streets of Boston on Sunday, June 22, for the annual Boston 10K—each with deeply personal reasons for raising money and awareness for the Brigham.

For Peter Lynch and his sister Heather Bliss, crossing the finish line was a true full-circle moment—the triumphant capstone to a long road of healing. Just over a year ago, Lynch underwent heart transplant surgery at the Brigham after suffering a major heart attack in his 40s. Grateful for her brother’s life-saving care, Bliss formed a 10K team last year to run and raise funds for cardiac research and care at the Brigham.

This year, the PJL3 team was back on the course—with a determined Lynch braving Sunday’s rain and humidity to join the team started in his honor. “A year ago, every step was a challenge,” Lynch said. “Thanks to the brilliance of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a team who became family, I ran a 10K. Believe in your progress and the people who lift you higher.”

“Given the heat factor, we were encouraging him not to participate but he was determined,” Bliss said, noting her brother assured her, ‘It’s not as scary as a heart transplant. I’ll be fine.’

“To be able to experience this race with him in the city where his life was saved, to be able to look at all the landmarks, with the Brigham right there, was very emotional,” Bliss added. “The Brigham gave us hope again. The Brigham saved his life.”

‘We run to give back and support those in need’

The sold-out race—which attracted thousands of athletes from around the world—is presented by the Brigham, the exclusive fundraising partner of the Boston Athletic Association’s Boston 10K for nearly a decade.

United by stories of hope, healing, and healthier tomorrows, the Brigham cohort—which included more than 200 employees and 53 teams—raised $350,000 for dozens of areas across the hospital, from cancer to cardiology, neurology to neonatal care, sports medicine to social work—and many more.

At the starting line on Sunday, Giles W.L. Boland, MD, president of the Brigham, executive vice president of Mass General Brigham, and past 10K participant, welcomed runners and thanked them for raising money to support a wide variety of areas across the Brigham.

Caitlin Twomey ran to support the Brigham’s Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). When Twomey’s youngest son, Jack, was born, he required NICU care for the first two weeks of his life. His caregivers not only helped him get strong enough to come home, they also gave Twomey and her husband the support they needed to navigate a challenging time.

“We run to give back and support those in need of NICU care in the way we were cared for, held, and carried through our experience,” said Twomey whose son Jack is now almost 4. Her team, Gains by the Gram, was among this year’s top fundraising teams.

Another runner, Tori Sci, ran in memory of her late aunt Patty, who passed away in 2024 following a major stroke. As a speech language pathologist, Sci sees firsthand how stroke survivors can experience speech, motor, and memory challenges. Inspired by the Brigham’s multidisciplinary approach to stroke care and its pioneering research in the field, she laced up her sneakers to help advance this important work.

“I run in honor of my aunt and in hopes of making a significant impact in the groundbreaking research and high-quality care that the Brigham provides for stroke patients,” said Sci.

Interested in getting involved in next year’s race? Email team@bwh.harvard.edu to learn more.