Dave Fortier

Boston Marathon Bombing - 15.04.2013

A Massachusetts native, the Boston Marathon would seem like the ideal event for a first time Marathon runner like Dave Fortier. However as he began to reach the finish line, two explosives were detonated by terrorists, taking the lives of three people and inflicting injury to over 250. A Police Officer would also be killed a few days later during the subsequent manhunt which ensued in pursuit of the two perpetrators over four days following the attack. Dave suffered shrapnel injuries to his feet.

Surviving the attack afforded Dave a unique perspective, and he went on to found the nonprofit One World Strong Foundation in the years following the attack. The organisation focuses its efforts on attempting to connect survivors of mass shootings, terror attacks, and other traumatic events, from across the globe, and is currently developing a network to facilitate these connections. In addition, Dave has gone on to run several marathon events since the attack and the organisation holds an annual One World Marathon with schools, young people, communities, and survivors of terrorism from around the world. You can read more about their work by clicking on the logo below.