Boston Marathon 2015 Runner Profile: Erin Auffrey-Kace, Running to Say 'Thank You'

Name: Erin Auffrey-Kace

Age: 32

Profession: Global Relationship Manager

Marathon experience: I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2014, this will be my second.

Reason for running: In 2014 I ran my first marathon to support Spaulding Rehab Center in an effort to “pay it forward” and say thank you to so many people that have supported my family and I. In 2012, my sister was in a car accident back in her home state of Alaska where she suffered a traumatic brain injury, countless broken bones, and trauma very few could ever imagine. She was treated and taken amazing care of in Alaska and once she was ready for rehab she was transferred to the world class Spaulding Rehab Center in Boston where she started to feel like herself again. I was honored to be chosen to run for this amazing charity which has touched my family and countless others very personally. I looked at the marathon and raising money for such an amazing organization as a small way to say “thank you” to all those who treated my sister and our friends, families, co-workers, and communities that supported us then and all along the way.

But most importantly, I wanted to honor my sister who is an inspiration to our family, her friends, and so many people that have never met her but know her story. If she could fight back, I could run a marathon. Seeing her, her husband, my husband and my family and friends along the route and at the finish line was a reminder of how far we have come, how much the human body can accomplish, and how lucky I am to have so much support and love.

That feeling is hard to duplicate. That is why I am running again. To support all the efforts of Spaulding Rehab Center, to support my city of Boston, and most importantly to support, honor, and thank my sister and all of our family, friends, co-workers, and our community for all they have done for us. To read my whole story, check out my fundraising page.

Over the last two years, with the support of so many, I have raised over $23,000 for Spaulding Rehab Center.

Charity (if applicable): SPAULDING RACE FOR REHAB BOSTON MARATHON 2015

Training tip: This winter: learn to love the treadmill.

Bib number: 29663