Readers Say

Amy Dowe is running to honor her friend, a Boston Marathon bombing survivor

"Roseann donated her running bib from the BAA to The Heather Abbott Foundation and I am honored to be wearing that bib this year."

Runner Amy Dowe, right, with friend Roseann Sdoia.

March 29, 2022

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In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. If you’re running the marathon, you can share your story here.

Name: Amy Dowe
Age: 49
From: Tuscon, Ariz.

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I am a native of Massachusetts and have spent year after year at the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street with one of my best friends of almost 30 years, Roseann Sdoia. Even after moving to Tucson, Ariz. back in 2000, I would make occasional trips to attend with her and enjoy one of our favorite days!

In April 2013, I was at my home in Tucson when I heard the horrific news of the bombing at the Boston Marathon. I called and texted over and over again just to get the news that Roseann had been injured and gone to the hospital but I didn’t know anything more. Hours and hours went by until I got a call that Roseann was severely injured and that they had to amputate her right leg. Roseann was in critical condition, as so many others were that day.

As days went on and she began to improve and come out of ICU, I booked a flight and got out to Boston. While I was there with her at Spaulding, I had the opportunity to meet some of the other survivors from the day. Heather Abbott was one of those people.

Heather’s foundation can help so many and it holds such a big place in my heart. In October 2021, while I was with Roseann and Heather after the marathon at the Boston Red Sox game I talked to Heather about running for her foundation. Roseann donated her running bib from the BAA to The Heather Abbott Foundation and I am honored to be wearing that bib this year.

Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.