The Marathon Map we designed for Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Bill White, for his 1k Tribute Run.

Shortly before the 2015 Boston Marathon, The Boston Globe ran a piece about our Marathon Maps and mentioned that an unpersonalized version was available at Boston's West Elm. A day or two later I got an email from a sales person at West Elm passing on a message that a Mr. William White was interested in a personalized print and would I please contact him.

In 2013 Bill White was enjoying a day at the Boston Marathon with his wife, Mary Jo, and son, Kevin. They were at the finish line when the first bomb went off. They were all injured to different degrees, with Bill's injury being the gravest - he had to have his right leg amputated above the knee. In 2014 Bill walked the "Boston Marathon 1k Tribute Walk" with other marathon bombing survivors and he was interested in a personalized print to commemorate it.

I was really nervous to talk to Bill about his Marathon Map, I had no idea what to say and how to convey the depth of my sympathy for all that his family has gone though. As it turns out, Bill and I found that we had quite a few things in common. My son loves playing at Spaulding Hospital's playground, which he watched be built as he recovered and we knew a few of the same people. It was lovely getting to know him and hear about his recovery. Making Marathon Maps for Bill White and his son Kevin (who ran the 2014 Boston Marathon) helped to inspire me to start running again and I hope whenever they look at their Marathon Maps they are reminded of their immense bravery and strength.

Our Marathon Map for Boston Marathon runners in the Boston Globe. Article by Marni Elyse Katz