Gillian and Audrey hold hands while napping in the ICU at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Audrey did not leave Gililan’s side while she was in the hospital. In the minutes after Reny, now 19, was whisked into the Brigham and Women’s Hospital trauma unit, doctors were confident they could save her life. They were not so certain they could salvage her mangled leg. For the next few days, that question hung in the balance.

Danielle Reny crosses the start line at Boston Marathon 2013. Gillian was on Boylston Street with her mother, Audrey Epstein Reny, and her father, Steven Reny, waiting for Gillian’s older sister, Danielle, to cross the finish line, when the blasts occurred.

Gillian dangling her legs, inpatient at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Through a series of fortunate turns and critical medical decisions, the teenager was able to avoid amputation.

Gillian in the ICU at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Gillian practicing stairs at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Now, 10 months after two bombs exploded near the Boston Marathon finish line, her family is launching a campaign to raise $3 million for trauma research at the hospital, which they hope could help others at risk of losing limbs.

Gillian outside of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The money will pay for research on limb regeneration and transplantation and on the use of stem cells to regrow damaged bones and skin. Some of the work will be done in collaboration with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The fund will also support training for plastic surgeons in repairing traumatic injuries.

Gillian Reny, Danielle Reny and Audrey Epstein Reny on Mother’s Day 1013. The Renys have been private about the trauma they experienced last April 15 and exceedingly protective of their injured daughter, but they decided to speak about it to bring attention to their fund.

Danielle and Gillian at Gillian’s graduation. Though her rehabilitation is ongoing, and she could require more surgery, Reny rarely needs crutches anymore.

Gillian and her prom date, Thor.

Gillian Reny (2nd from left) with friends at the University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania, which was her first choice for college, had sent Reny an acceptance letter before the Marathon. She was determined to go as planned, but doctors, especially Harris, were very cautious.

Audrey Epstein Reny, Gillian Reny and Steven Reny at Parents Weekend at University of Pennsylvania. Reny opted, with her parents support, to start college but with a reduced workload — three classes instead of the standard four to leave enough time for physical therapy.

Gillian in her dorm room at Penn. When Gillian Reny arrived at the University of Pennsylvania last August, she longed to be an ordinary freshman. She walks normally, though she is not dancing. She was planning to continue studying jazz dance in college, but it is unclear whether she will be able to do that.

Audrey Epstein Reny and Gillian Reny, Feb. 16, 2014.