Students in Elon University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program have been inspired to give back, in response to the bombings at the 117th Boston Marathon April 15.
Thomas Willauer, a student in Elon University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, participated Monday in the #BostonStrongBurlington run, one of 123 events behind held worldwide.
Willauer has participated in the Boston Marathon the past four years, but was kept from this year’s event because of a school conflict. In an interview with The Burlington Times-News, he said the bombings would not prevent him from participating in the future.
“Now I really want to go up and do it next year,” he said in the interview, noting that his instructor, Sarah Talley, inspired him.
The instructor in physical therapy education had completed the marathon 20 minutes before the bombs exploded near the finish line.
Elon DPT student Betsy O’Leary has family in the area and closely tracked developing news about the bombings. Two of her friends were at the finish line after the bombings, helping the medical staff and O’Leary now has plans to work at Boston Marathon medical tents at future events.
Written by Caitlin O’Donnell ’13