Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Polly’s Run, the prime fundraiser for pancreatic cancer in New Mexico, commemorates its
15th Anniversary. Scheduled for Saturday, June 1, at Tiguex Park near Albuquerque’s Old Town, the event will
include a 5K run and walk at 8:30 a.m. and a Kid’s K at 9:30 a.m. All proceeds will support the Polly Rogers
Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The event is significant to New Mexicans, as pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to
overcome because it is seldom diagnosed in its early stages and affects more men than women in the state.
According to New Mexico Environmental Health Tracking, New Mexico reports a lower rate than the national
average of 11.5 cases per 100,000. The department also says pancreatic cancer makes up 3.2% of all new
cancer cases and accounts for 8.2% of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S., totaling around 62,210 cases and
49,830 deaths.
The five-year survival rate lingers at a mere 11.5%.
This year, Polly’s Run marks 15 years since the loss of Polly Rogers, a mother of three who, despite being a
healthy non-smoker, succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2009, a mere 11 months post-diagnosis. In
remembrance of her, her sons and closest companion initiated Polly’s Run to commemorate her legacy and
support pancreatic cancer research by fundraising and creating awareness.
“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 Run organizer and 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.” With donations exceeding $440,000 for the Polly Rogers Pancreatic Cancer Research Endowment
at UNMCCC, this year’s event aims to raise $80,000 in its fifteenth year.
“Polly’s Run participants understand that it’s critical for the families left to carry on this fight,” he says. “Our
participants, including 20 pancreatic cancer survivors, are passionate about finding a cure. We couldn’t do this
race without the community of survivors, families, and friends.”
About the Fifteenth Annual Polly’s Run event
Polly’s Run will take place Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Tiguex Park, 1800 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, New
Mexico, 87110. The Run/Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and the Kids K begins at 9:30 a.m. View the routes at
https://www.pollysrun.com/the-race. Parking will be available on Bellamah Road NW along 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/.
