Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Jeff Bauman and Actor Jake Gyllenhaal join Boston Medical Center’s Boston Marathon Team as Honorary Co-captains

For More Information, Contact:

Jennifer Peterson, Lionsgate
310-255-5066
JPeterson@lionsgate.com

Meghann Burns, Lionsgate
310-255-3999
MEBurns@lionsgate.com

Gyllenhaal to portray Bauman in Lionsgate’s film ‘STRONGER’ shooting in Boston this Spring

(Boston) – March 21, 2016 – Boston Medical Center (BMC) is pleased to announce that former BMC patient, Jeff Bauman, and actor Jake Gyllenhaal, are honorary co-captains of Team BMC, a group of 87 people running this year’s Boston Marathon in support of BMC. Bauman, who was severely injured in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, was rushed to BMC, where he was successfully treated for his traumatic injuries. He became a symbol of the city’s strength and pride and his account of that day and his recovery, outlined in his inspiring memoir titled “Stronger,” will be adapted into a film where Gyllenhaal will portray Bauman. The film, directed by David Gordon Green and distributed by Lionsgate, will begin shooting in Boston this spring.

For the past 13 years, BMC has proudly participated in Boston’s historic marathon, raising more than $2.91 million for the hospital. Thanks to John Hancock Financial, 87 runners will run in the Marathon this year as members of Team BMC, raising funds for the hospital’s Building the New BMC campaign, which will include the construction of a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department.

Team BMC is supported by Santander Bank, who generously offers their branches in Hopkinton and at the finish line on Marathon Monday for runners and family members to meet. The branches serve as a much needed respite after Team BMC runners trek the notorious 26.2 course.

BMC is the busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in the region, with more than 130,000 emergency visits and more than 2,000 trauma admissions per year. It is also the largest safety-net hospital in New England, providing high-quality care to many uninsured, underinsured and homeless patients around Greater Boston and beyond.

On Sunday, April 17, Bauman and Gyllenhaal will join Team BMC at its annual Pasta Dinner—which will be emceed by retired linebacker of the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo—to motivate their teammates before they take on the Boston Marathon the following day. The pair are excited to provide support and serve as honorary co-captains for all 87 runners of BMC’s official Boston Marathon team, Team BMC.

“It’s a privilege to serve alongside Jeff as an honorary co-captain for Team BMC. He is an extraordinary human. I've spent a lot of time in Boston over the years; so this is a real honor. I can already feel the excitement and pride around the upcoming marathon," says Jake Gyllenhaal.

Jeff Bauman notes, "I'm really honored to bring Jake to BMC. I know that getting my story right is important to him, but it's also very important that he feels the impact 2013 had on everyone-the runners, the first responders and medical staff, the people cheering on the finish line, everyone. This is Boston's story, not just mine and I can't think of a better way to share what "Boston Strong" means. BMC was my first stop after the bombings and where this new chapter of my life began. It is pretty surreal and exciting to be going back with a movie team behind me."

This is not the first time a celebrity has joined Team BMC. In 2014, Kevin Spacey led the group as honorary team captain, commemorating the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings.

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