This November, I will have the honor and privilege of running the New York City Marathon for Project Purple, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer through research, patient support, and awareness.
Running has been a constant in my life since the age of 12. For over 20 years, I’ve run races of all distances, pushed myself through tough workouts, and have simply just run for fun and to clear my mind. My mantra has always been “running is a gift and a privilege”. I’ve always gone into a race or tough workout with that mindset. But two months ago, unexpected news served as a reminder of that mantra – my why.
A dear friend of mine, Lou Ann, was tossed one sour lemon in March of 2025. On what was supposed to be her celebratory trip to Florida to kick off her retirement, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer, with one year to live. How does one handle that news? Every day, over 170 individuals and their families are also tossed this proverbial sour lemon. I was in shock; I was upset and frustrated while struggling to wrap my head around it all. So, I did what I normally do to calm my mind and organize my thoughts. I went on a run.
That run was different. With each step, I ran with my thoughts. It took me back to my why. Lou Ann loves to walk and bike. And she loves to be outside in nature making her backyard a whimsical secret garden – if you saw her backyard, you would understand why all the pollinators come to her house. Her life has changed so much all within a month. I told myself that each mile I run will be for her. I’m running to support her but also others that are going through the same struggle. I’ve learned more about pancreatic cancer in the last month than I would like to have, and I know that research and clinical trials are key for so many. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with one of the lowest survival rates. Project Purple funds critical research and provides financial support to patients and their families.
When I think of Lou Ann, I often compare her personality to that of the runner’s high – that feeling of achievement and confidence while feeling a euphoric sense of calmness. Like the runner’s high, Lou Ann is a rarity and one of life’s extras and I am honored to run for her.
As of late, when I press start on my watch and begin to run, I look at the seconds quickly adding up to a minute, then another few minutes pass by…so on and so forth. Time has an entirely new meaning to me now. Pancreatic Cancer has the unfortunate power to pause time before we’re ready for it. Time is what patients need to fight this awful disease, but time isn’t necessarily always on our side. As a runner, we’re coached to train for a marathon with “time on our feet” – so with that in mind, each run during my marathon training leading up to toeing that start line, I’ll be thinking of the warriors, survivors, and the families who fight this battle every day. By supporting my marathon journey, you’re not just cheering me on—you’re helping to bring hope and resources to those who need it most.
Let’s run for Lou Ann and let’s run for a world without Pancreatic Cancer.
