Michaela was the kind of mom, wife, and friend people are lucky to have, and she was also a runner. She’s the one who introduced her daughter Sasha to the sport when Sasha was a teenager, one early-morning mile at a time. Michaela passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020, but running has remained the way Sasha keeps her close. Every year since, Sasha has honored her mom by raising funds for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, whether on a bike at Tour de Pier or on foot at the LA Cancer Challenge. This October, she took on her biggest challenge yet. After training since June, Sasha lined up for the Chicago Marathon on October 11, her first World Major. Here, in her own words, is what the race, and the miles that led to it, meant.
My Chicago marathon experience was so incredible. I have never felt so much love and encouragement from a city like I did in Chicago. Every time I struggled along the course because of the heat or cramps I reminded myself of why I was running, that what I was going through in that moment was not nearly as hard as what my mom went through during her pancreatic cancer treatment.
At one point I saw a huge crowd of kids there from a local pediatric cancer foundation called “Cal’s Angels” all cheering and having the best time. It was a good reminder of why I run: I run for those who can’t. I run to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer and raise funds to find a cure. And most importantly I run to feel connected with my mom because even though she is no longer with me, I still feel deeply bonded when I lace up my shoes and go for a run just like we did in the old days.
One of my favorite memories is from when my family would travel, my mom and I would wake up an hour or two earlier than everyone else to go explore the city on a run together. We would then come back, and mention places we saw during our run that we wanted to take them to. It was those moments, when it was just the two of us enjoying a hobby we both love.
If you’re considering a big run, my advice is, “just do it!” Since my mom passed, I have been fundraising for the Hirshberg Foundation. For me, every time I fundraise, I just sit down and write my story. Life is so busy sometimes that you feel like you either don’t talk about your loved one or think about them enough but fundraising for a loved one allows you to dedicate time to them and tell your story. It also prevents future families from experiencing such a deep loss. Being able to help others and fundraise for a cure helps give meaning to my family’s loss.
Sasha’s story is a reminder that awareness doesn’t just happen. It starts with one person deciding to say a loved one’s name out loud. Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any major cancer, and too many families learn about the disease only after it has already changed their lives. Every mile Sasha runs, every dollar she raises, and every time she shares her story helps change that, funding the research that gives future families more time and the hope that comes with it. This Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, we invite you to follow Sasha’s lead. Honor someone you love by sharing their story, supporting research, or joining us at an upcoming event. Together, we can accelerate awareness towards better outcomes for patients and their families.
