Mary Ellen's Marathon for Pancreatic Cancer

Mary Ellen Guercio / 2024 New York City Marathon

I am running the NYC marathon in memory of my extraordinary mom, Betty.

  • $500

    Raised

  • $5,000

    Goal

  • 1

    Supporters

  • 56

    Days Remaining

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About Mary Ellen's Marathon for Pancreatic Cancer

The idea of running in the NYC marathon has always been a pipedream of mine.  I began running after college in my 20’s, but it quickly took a backseat in my 30’s as I was busy raising my family, working full-time, and trying to balance everyday life.  I turned 40 during the pandemic and slowly started running again while under lockdown.  

In February of 2023, my mom was unexpectedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It came as a shock to all of us to say the least.  As I watched my mom do everything in her power to win the fight, running became my therapy.  Every time I hit the pavement, I would run farther and faster than the last time.  I began to think that maybe my pipedream could become a reality. 

My mom’s treatments had been going fairly well for almost a year. I knew the statistics of pancreatic cancer, but also knew there were plenty of survivors who beat the odds. I convinced myself with certainty that my mom would be one of them.  I was so proud of her for fighting so hard every day.  I wanted to do something to honor her and also help others battling this horrific disease. The opportunity to fundraise for Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer and fulfill my marathon dream made sense to me.  Training for a marathon as a 43-year-old mom would be no easy feat, but it was nothing compared to what my own mom endured on daily basis. 

Very soon after I committed to running the marathon, my mom’s treatments stopped working.  As reality started to set in, I remember telling my mom “You have to keep trying”.  I’ll never forget how she looked at me and said, “I did try.”  I knew at that very moment we would have to let her go. My mom passed away on May 11, 2024, the night before Mother’s Day.  I woke up the next morning from what I thought was a bad dream.  Not knowing what else to do, I went for my Sunday morning run and cried for 5 miles. 

I have questioned whether I have it in me to run this marathon, but I know my mom would tell me to do exactly what she did for 15 months, which is “try”.  She is truly the strongest person I have ever known, always taking things in stride no matter what curveballs were thrown at her in life.  I am hopeful that remembering my mom’s undeniable strength and courage, which I can only aspire to have for my own children, will be my guiding force as I run the NYC marathon on November 3, 2024. 

Thank you for supporting me, Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer, and my amazing mom Elizabeth, or as most people knew her, Betty.