Why I'm Running for TESF

On April 20, 2026, I'll be participating in the 130th Boston Marathon with my friend, Thomas Smith. I met Tom in 2024 at a Google Offsite in Austin, Texas, where he shared his incredible story with us. After that meeting, we partnered to raise $10,000 at the 2024 New York Marathon—enough to fund a full bathroom modification for a spinal cord injury patient.

Will Lewis with TESF team holding banner in NYC

Tom Smith’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience. Once an aspiring professional hockey player, Tom’s life changed in 2008 due to a paralyzing on-ice accident. Despite grim predictions that he would be permanently confined to a wheelchair, he fought through intense rehab to become a “walking miracle.”

Unthinkably, Tom’s battle was far from over. He sustained a second paralyzing spinal injury in 2009 and a third in 2010, which also severely injured his father. Instead of asking “why me,” Tom chose to take action. Drawing strength from his new “F-words” — Faith, Family, and Friends — he established The Thomas E. Smith Foundation to provide hope, resources, and specialized care to the paralysis community. Today, he channels that same athletic grit into his mission: providing vital resources and hope to the entire disability community.

Thomas E. Smith interviewed at Boston Marathon finish line

In 2025, Tom completed his seventh Boston Marathon since his three paralyzing spinal cord injuries. When he called and asked me to participate in the 130th Boston Marathon with him, I couldn’t say no.

This year my goal is to raise $21,100 — $500 for every kilometer I run with Tom. Please join me in this effort. Your generosity fuels change. Tom and I look forward to crossing the finish line on April 20, 2026!

Thank you,

Will

More About TESF

Making a Difference for People with Mobility Challenges

The Thomas E. Smith Foundation is a catalyst for transformative change for people living with mobility challenges, especially those living with paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries.

We challenge the status quo by developing meaningful programs, investing in groundbreaking research, and advocating for equitable access to care. Rooted in decades of leadership and lived experience, we’re committed to dismantling systemic barriers, empowering individuals, and redefining what’s possible for a life without limitations.

Founded in 2010 by Thomas Smith after sustaining multiple paralyzing spinal cord injuries, TESF embodies core values of access, resilience, and the desire to create positive change. Realizing the inequitable access to essential equipment and rehabilitation for individuals with mobility challenges, Tom and his teammate Tucker Mullin created TESF to address these critical needs.

We believe in a progressive approach to improving lives. A key part of our mission is providing emotional support and financial resources that help individuals and families achieve their maximum mobility and best possible quality of life.

With your help, we can create a future defined by accessibility and inclusion for all—while advancing innovation toward one day finding a cure for paralysis.

Will Lewis' Boston Marathon Fundraiser

By The Thomas E. Smith Foundation

Will Lewis' Boston Marathon Fundraiser

Proceeds to benefit the Thomas E. Smith Foundation