Rebekah's Angels Foundation

I have been blessed with the opportunity of my LIFE! Boston Marathon is one of the hardest marathons to qualify for. Everything in my life has aligned and I get the opportunity of my life to run this course and do what I love while paying forward the blessings. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love of others and the support of strong people and organizations, just like Rebekah’s Angels, swarmed around me to anchor me as I walked through the pit fire of life. It is now my turn to pay the blessings forward, encourage love and prove that sometimes doing hard things is the right thing. Please support my cause so I can live out my deepest desire to help other women and children be the warriors they were called to be. 100% of proceeds go to Rebekahs Angels. #peoplehelpingpeople

Hi, my name is Vincent Milland, I am a Senior at Pine View High School, and I have PTSD. In October of 2019, I was at a regatta in Tampa for rowing. This race course was known for its piles of fire ants, but since I had never had a problem with them before, and I'd never had an allergic reaction to them, I didn't think much of it. We arrived early in the morning, and within the first 30 minutes I had 6 bites on my leg. These bites began itching more and my skin began to swell up. I still didn't think anything was wrong, as I didn't even know I was allergic. Things started to get serious, the rest of my body began swelling and my throat started to get tight after 25 minutes. The ambulance arrived as I started to lose vision. They began pumping me with epinephrine and tried to keep me awake, but the reaction was too severe for the materials they had in an ambulance. Needless to say, if traffic had been worse or they had to take an extra 5 seconds on a turn, I wouldn't be here today. After getting out of the hospital 6 days later, the night terrors began. I would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for breath, I would have trouble focusing, always thinking there were ants near me, or the itch on my leg was a bite, life became miserable. This anxiety and PTSD slowly got better for the next 2 years until it happened again, this time, an even closer call for my life, hearing the paramedics count down my heart rate as my body began to give up. This experience set my PTSD in stone. It was harder to focus at school, it was a struggle to go to sleep, and keeping myself happy had become a battle. Shortly after this reaction, I had also gotten into a car crash. Another car hit me, a split second for me to brake. Now the terrors followed me into the day, I'd stare off into space and get jolted back as I envisioned a car slamming into me. My grades began to slip and I got nervous behind the wheel. Although I suffered through this PTSD, I never told the people around me, I felt embarrassed, scared, and ashamed that I, a young and strong teenager, was capable of having anxiety or PTSD. Pictured below are both events of me in the hospital for my allergic reactions.

That is the reason that I have created the TAPA Initiative, in an attempt to bring awareness to children's and teen's anxiety and PTSD, no matter what it is that they've been through, big or small and making the ability to talk about their issues freely, without embarrassment, and receive help. On this GoFundMe, I'm raising money for a non-profit charity we have partnered with named Rebekah's Angels Foundation, who provide specialized care and treatment for kids dealing with PTSD of any sort. This initiative means an incredible amount to me and any contribution will help greatly. Here you can read more about the Rebekah’s Angels Foundation.

Thank you,

Vincent Milland

TAPA Initiative

Running has become such an integral part of my life and little did I know 15 years ago when I ventured out with my dog JJ to our first 5K race the journey it would take me on emotionally, spiritually and physically. I am blessed in so many ways, but I have also come to learn there are many families who are not. My running travels have connected me with many amazing people and perhaps through fate and/or serendipity I was made aware of Rebekah's Angels Foundation by meeting two of her Angels. If you haven't heard about Rebekah Gregory before today she was a bystander at the Boston Marathon in 2013, three feet away from where the explosions shook the world and the running community. Her body took the full impact and she was able to shield her young son Noah saving his life. Rebekah lost her leg that day and she and Noah suffered severe PTSD. The search for resources to help herself and Noah led her to understand how many other families were struggling with their own traumatic circumstances often without the support they desperately needed. Rebekah emerged with a mission and determination and this realization became the catalyst for Rebekah's Angel's Foundation. The foundation focuses on helping children and families navigate trauma and PTSD by providing funding for counseling and therapy services. Childhood trauma comes in many forms and Rebekah's Angels is committed to raising awareness about the effectiveness of treating PTSD in children, showcasing the potential for healing and resilience when support is provided early.

Simply put, it is about Helping Children Heal to reclaim their lives. I can't think of anything more important or impactful for me to support. This is personal to me and touches my heart and my family.

I am committed in raising $15,000 to support Rebekah's Angels in the Boston Marathon 2025. I promise to pour my heart and soul into each mile and appreciate your support as together we can be difference makers!

#BostonStrong

With Love and Light

Francine