University of Washington and St. Anne’s School graduate Annamarie Calkins completed the New York City Marathon for the first time on Nov. 6 in an effort to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer.
Calkins, who lost a close family member to the disease in October of 2009, finished the race in less than five hours and managed to raise more than $4,200 for pancreatic cancer research. She trained nearly every day for the last year at Seattle’s Green Lake to prepare herself for the grueling 26-mile run through the five boroughs of New York City.
“Today I became a marathoner for the first time,” Calkins said. “I got to run through the beautiful streets of New York, spreading awareness about pancreatic cancer. I can’t think of a better cause. I am truly a changed person after the experience.”
Calkins is the coordinator for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – Puget Sound Affiliate, a group dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds for pancreatic cancer via volunteer activities and events in Western Washington. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer in the United States and among the least funded. To learn more about the disease and ways to volunteer, visit www.pancan.org.
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