Polly’s Run Races Against Pancreatic Cancer

Proceeds from 5K run/walk on June 3 will benefit the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center

Polly's Run, a fundraiser to support pancreatic cancer research, will take place Sunday, June 3, at Tiguex Park near Albuquerque's Old Town. The event will feature a 5K run/walk that starts at 8:30 a.m. and a Kid's K that starts at 9:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Polly Rogers Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Polly's Run is named for Polly Rogers, a healthy non-smoking mother of three boys who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2009, just 11 months after her diagnosis. That year, her sons and best friend started Polly's Run to honor her memory. Now in its ninth year, Polly's Run honors those who have lost their fight with pancreatic cancer and raises money and awareness for pancreatic cancer research.

"[My mother] taught me and my brothers that you can't just sit back," says Josh Rogers, Polly's Run organizer and Polly's middle son. "You've got to make a difference while you're here." Last year, about 600 people walked or ran to raise more than $33,000.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to overcome because it is seldom diagnosed in its early stages. The American Cancer Society estimates that 270 New Mexicans will lose their battle to pancreatic cancer in 2018. The National Cancer Institute reports that fewer than one in 10 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer between 2008 and 2014 lived for five years or more after their diagnosis. But pancreatic cancer research is yielding new treatment approaches that may improve these survival results and help more people to live longer.

Josh Rogers wants to bring those new advances to the fight against pancreatic cancer in New Mexico. He remembers how difficult it was to watch his mother fight pancreatic cancer. He says many of the people who take part in Polly's Run each year have lost loved ones to the disease, too.

"Polly's Run participants understand that it's absolutely critical for the families who are left to carry on this fight," he says. "The participants are very passionate about finding a cure."

About the Ninth Annual Polly's Run event

Polly's Run will take place Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Tiguex Park, 1800 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110. The Run/Walk begins at 8:30 am and the Kids K begins at 9:30 am. View the routes at http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/680691580. Parking will be available on Bellamah Road NW along 18th Street and 20th Street; Mountain Road will be closed. All of the proceeds from Polly's Run benefit the Polly Rogers Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learn more at https://www.pollysrun.com/.