Marathon Bombing Survivor's Family Gives Back To Boston Hospital

BOSTON (CBS) - For the first time, a teenager who nearly lost a leg in the Boston Marathon bombing is sharing her story.

For 19-year-old Gillian Reny, it's been a year filled with triumph after tragedy. Gillian, along with her mom and dad, were on Boylston Street last April 15th to cheer on her sister Danielle.

"My sister was running the marathon," Gillian says. "We were standing in front of the first blast when it went off."

That moment changed everything. Gillian suffered serious leg injuries.

"Luckily we were transported to Brigham and Women's Hospital and they took excellent care of me and my family and they were able to save my legs," she says.

The recovery has not been easy. At times, she wasn't sure she'd walk again. But the college freshman has made big strides. She now walks on her own.

Gillian is in college now at the University of Pennsylvania and her family is ready to give back. The Stepping Strong Fund at BWH raises money for research to help patients with injuries like Gillian's.

"The fund that we set up was something that my family really wanted to create in order to show our gratitude to the Brigham," she says.

Gillian is still going through rehabilitation. It's possible she may need more surgery but her goal is to one day dance again.

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