After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, Jill McMurtrey decided she wanted to do what she could to raise awareness for the disease so other families don’t have to go through the same thing.
After doing some research, Jill discovered Project Purple and recently completed her first marathon as a Project Purple runner through the Pioneer Program.
If the Pioneer Program interests you, click here to learn more.
Honoring Judy
In mid-October of 2015, Jill’s mother, Judy, was suddenly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. After experiencing symptoms for a little bit, Judy decided to go to the doctor and was given a diagnosis within a few weeks.
After an ultrasound, her oncologist recommended Judy start with oral chemotherapy. While the oral chemo worked well in the beginning, it started to become ineffective. After battling for six months, Judy passed in April of 2016.
Judy lived every day to the fullest. She loved her job, spending time with her grandchildren, and so much more.
“She was an ordinary person doing extraordinary things,” Jill said of her mother. Anyone who met Judy liked her for her generous, kind, and patient character.
Making An Impact
Being from a small town, Jill and her family were provided a great sense of community. Her parents’ community put together a fundraiser for their family, part of which was put towards the fundraising for an event that Jill and her sister were taking part in.
After this, Jill started to research fundraising groups for pancreatic cancer. This is when she discovered Project Purple.
The biggest draw to Project Purple for Jill was the association with physical activity, along with the transparency of where money donated is being allocated.
Seeing the long-distance running done in support of the organization motivated Jill to give it a try. Jill has always enjoyed running since junior high and high school.
“Getting older, it acts as a time to unwind or disconnect,” shared Jill, also saying running benefits mental health as well as physical health. However, long-distance running and training was hard to get motivated for. “Doing this for a reason other than myself gets me out the door.”
On To Kansas City
Running in the Kansas City Marathon this past October was Jill’s first marathon experience and she did it as part of Project Purple’s Pioneer Program. Jill’s sister, who lives in Kansas City, participated in the 5k being held as a Project Purple runner as well.
Jill’s husband and youngest son came along as support during the race, cheering Jill on as she started the last quarter mile of the race. Those cheers were the final acts of motivation.
After this experience, Jill would like to race with Project Purple again, but this time as part of a team. To those who are thinking of participating in their first marathon, Jill recommends to not have too high expectations.
“Set goals, but don’t be hard set on them because you never know what’s going to happen on race day,” Jill says. This mindset is one Jill says Judy would have shared, an extension of the patience her mom practiced throughout her life, and one that helped Jill complete her marathon strong.
If you are interested in the Pioneer Program and would like to learn more about how you can get involved, click here: projectpurple.org/events/pioneer-program/
