Jill Grefe was first made aware of pancreatic cancer when her cousin’s husband, Scott, was diagnosed with the disease. Jill saw how aggressive this cancer was and how it took its toll on not just Scott but, his wife and his young children which only added to the heartbreak. A couple of years after her first personal experience with pancreatic cancer, Jill’s mom, Jane, was diagnosed in 2006. From the moment her mom was diagnosed, she faced her battle head on.
“Despite the unknown, fear, and worry, she handled it like any other challenge in life,” Jill said. “She didn’t run or hide from it, she displayed courage, strength, and graciously accepted support.”
Sadly, in April 2007, her mom passed away. “All of my family came together and made it possible for her to be at home as she wanted when she passed,” Jill said. “We tried to make her as comfortable as she could be at home so she could be with my dad.”
Today Jill is using Project Purple’s Pioneer Program to do good and raise awareness for pancreatic cancer in her mom’s memory. “I just wanted to give a shoutout to the Pioneer Program because there’s a lot of us out there putting in the work and supporting those battling in our own unique way,” Jill said.
Our Pioneer Program offers runners the chance to participate in races that may not have a full team presence. Whether it’s a local 5k, a challenging half marathon, or even an ultra marathon, you can participate in any race, anywhere, regardless of existing team presence. To join our Pioneer Program, or learn more about it: please click here.
A Journey of Healing Through Running
After her mom’s passing, Jill started to run. “I started to run a few years after my mom passed and continue to run to this day.” Jill has found a love of trail running and brought it to the mountains of Colorado where she feels her mom’s presence.
“I’m just drawn to the mountains because she always organized family trips out to Colorado in the mountains,” Jill said. “I feel so connected to her and I know her spirit guides me. Some people may run away from things…I feel I am running toward something, I am running with something, my mom’s spirit and guidance.”
Project Purple: A Cause Close to Home
Jill knew she wanted to do something to honor her mom but wasn’t sure what until she stumbled across Project Purple. “I was on Instagram and I followed them and saw the combination of fitness for pancreatic cancer and it seemed like a good fit.”
In the summer of 2020, Jill decided to join the Pioneer Program and so she reached out. “I finally reached out to join the Pioneer Program,” Jill said. “I got a phone call right away and was very welcomed in.”
Since joining the Pioneer Program Jill has participated in any way she can to honor her mom’s memory and support those battling this disease. Her first Pioneer experience was a half-marathon in memory of Jane and Scott followed by a marathon, and ultra trail runs in the Colorado mountains. Jill and her family also participate in Project Purple’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Turkey Trots. Jill’s most recent Pioneer experiences were a 50-mile ultra trail run in Minnesota and three 14ers in the Colorado mountains which she completed in July.
A 14er is a mountain peak that’s at least 14,000 feet above sea level. Ambitious hikers challenge themselves by summiting one of these staggering pinnacles while taking in glorious views along the way. Doing one 14er is already a challenge, but Jill’s determination pushed her to complete three 14ers in memory of her mom as well as close friends, and immediate family who have been diagnosed with various types of cancer!
“My involvement in the Pioneer Program is heartfelt and is such a great mesh of physical and mental challenges for a great cause,” Jill said. If I can move step by step up and down the mountains to provide a small measure of hope, comfort, support, or strength I will continue to do so as long as I’m able.”
To join our Pioneer Program, please click here.
