Marathoner runs to support trauma survivors
By Deanie Wimmer, KSL
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SALT LAKE CITY (KSL) — Running has always been more than preparing for a race for Kelli Rogers. She had just crossed the finish line at the Boston Marathon in 2013 when the bombs went off, placing her among the thousands whose lives were forever altered.
“It’s like a movie … people are on the ground, hurt, injured,” Rogers said. “Things that you don’t really want to relive… it is traumatic.”
Rogers made it home, but the emotional weight of that day stayed with her. She said the experience reshaped her understanding of trauma and the challenges families face in finding help.
“I had some PTSD, and it is so important to heal,” she said.
Years later, Rogers reconnected with another Boston bombing survivor, Rebekah Gregory, who lost her leg while shielding her young son from the blasts.
Gregory founded Rebekah’s Angels, a nonprofit focused on trauma counseling and support for families.
“She takes people who have a story, who have a reason, who have a why of why they want to run with her,” Rogers said.
Rogers began running for the organization, turning Boston into a race for healing.
“They have to raise a certain amount of money the whole year, which is a really big deal because that’s her fundraiser every year,” she said. Through fundraising and advocacy, Rogers became deeply involved — often donating her own race entries so others could experience Boston while supporting the cause.
That commitment has helped expand the mission.
“She announced that Utah is going to have a chapter, and it is promised that it will stay here,” Rogers said. “I’m really excited about that.”
The Utah chapter aims to keep donations local and expand access to trauma counseling, especially for children and families navigating life after crisis.
For Rogers, every mile is driven by purpose.
“I feel excited. I feel overwhelmed. Very grateful,” she said. “I hope that people around me will just know that they are not alone. I hope that they can find the services, and nobody wants to feel alone.”
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