Polly’s Run, the annual New Mexico fundraising event for pancreatic cancer, is celebrating their 15th Anniversary this year. They announced the special event in a press release. 

This year will mark 15 years since Polly Rogers died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, just eleven months after diagnosis. Polly was a young, healthy mother of three. Her sons created Polly’s Run to honor her legacy while raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research. 

"We are privileged to be among the longstanding fundraising runs in New Mexico, yet witnessing a small  gathering of survivors is heart-wrenching,” said Josh Rogers, Polly’s middle son. “For fifteen years, our family has been dedicated to raising funds directly for a top-tier research institution to improve survival rates.” 

“Polly’s Run participants understand that it’s critical for the families left to carry on this fight,” he said.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly in the state, according to the organization, as it is rarely diagnosed in an early stage and has a five year survival rate of 11.5%. Pancreatic cancer accounts for 3.2% of new cancer cases and 8.2% of cancer related deaths across the country. 

Polly’s Run has donated over $440,000 for the Polly Rogers Pancreatic Cancer Research Endowment  at UNMCCC, and for their 15th year, the organization has set the goal for $80,000.  

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 1, at Tiguex Park in Albuquerque. The event will include a Run/Walk 5K starting at 8:30 a.m., and a Kids K race that starts 9:30 a.m. More information on parking and routes is available at the Polly’s Race website.