Josh Rogers is the co-founder of Polly’s Run, an annual run/walk that raises money and awareness for pancreatic cancer research in New Mexico. Rogers spoke to the New Mexico Sun about Polly’s Run and how it came to be.
NM Sun: How did Polly’s Run come to be?
Rogers: My Mom, Polly, was diagnosed in 2008 with pancreatic cancer and passed away in June 2009. Shortly after her passing, My brothers, my Mom's best friend and I gathered our friends and family that knew her and did a little fun run and people donated about $2,000. We didn't know what to do with the money so we donated it to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and realized that we needed to keep this going because there was no voice, no fundraiser, and inadequate care for pancreatic cancer patients in New Mexico. We decided to keep the run going on an annual basis and make it more official. The first official year in 2010, we had 200 participants and we have grown to over 700 on an annual basis. We have also created a virtual run for people out-of-state to participate in the event and in other locations outside of Albuquerque. This was extremely important during Covid as we had to keep the event going in 2020 and 2021 and we had over 500 participants both years that kept us going. In 2017, we created the Polly Rogers Pancreatic Cancer Research Endowment at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC) to make sure the money raised would stay local and help the UNMCCC bring the latest in pancreatic research and treatments to the people of New Mexico. We will surpass $500,000 in the endowment this year.
NM Sun: What led you to wanting to be involved with organizing an event like this?
Rogers: My Mom. She was an inspiration for us three boys and taught us to never give up in so many ways. So when we lost our mother, this was a way to never give up, to keep her memory alive, and give back to the community. She was a teacher and a coach and giving back to the community was an essential part of her daily life. She passed along those values to us and we strive to be bigger and better every year to help this community. We want to help cure pancreatic cancer so that other families in New Mexico don't have to go through what we have gone through.
NM Sun: What kind of work goes into organizing an event like this?
Rogers: Luckily, we have been doing it for 15 years so we have it down to a science but the work has to happen every year. We are fortunate that all three of us brothers do our part to bring the event to life, and also from our wives who handle the email marketing and daily social media aspects of the event. Also, my Mom's best friend Sally Machacek is deeply involved and helps in a variety of ways every year. It takes a village. We also are extremely grateful to our sponsors, Titan Development and HB Construction are the title sponsors this year and we appreciate their extremely generous sponsorship. Also to RunFit which does the race timing and handles the permit, road crew, and supplies the equipment. LAstly, to Siarza Social Digital for leading the marketing of the job from pushing for media exposure, creating videos and all advertising for the event.
NM Sun: Do you have a personal favorite memory from previous Polly’s Runs?
Rogers: My favorite memory was probably in 2019 for our ten year anniversary. The community came out in huge numbers to help us celebrate. We had over 900 people participate and I can remember vividly watching the start of the event and seeing 900 people running for this cause is such an incredible feeling. It brought a lot of tears to my eyes that day as it was also the 10th year since my mom passed away.
NM Sun: Is there anything you’re excited about for this year’s Polly’s Run?
Rogers: I am very excited about our participation numbers as we have finally recovered from the pandemic. I think we'll have over 700 people this year, which is great news. I am also always excited to see the survivors come out with their families. Polly's Run gives these survivors and families hope for a cure and life-changing treatment. We have six survivors in person and two virtually and I cannot be more proud to have that many this year.