The Next Best Thing

The Next Best Thing
by Maida Broudo

One woman’s life changing quest to honor the memory of her father brings hope and inspiration to others. 

How can anyone “top” running 52 marathons in the span of 52 weeks to raise money and awareness for pancreatic cancer? Julie Weiss, 44, also known as the Marathon Goddess, has figured it out.

Ms. Weiss has a “flower child” like quality and a contagious spirit. When she smiles, it comes from her toes-literally. Perhaps that is why Lupe Romero-De La Cruz, 52, and a pancreatic cancer patient, ran the last mile of the 52nd marathon with Julie, even though she has just had surgery three months earlier. Ms. Romero-De La Cruz had been given 6 months to live. Through Julie’s inspiration and dedication, De La Cruz trained for and completed the Los Angeles Marathon on March 9th of this year.

In 2012, Ms. Weiss decided to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks in memory of her father, Maurice Weiss who died just one month after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “It was like a death sentence, “ said Ms. Weiss. “I just had to do something to help.”

Helping is exactly what Julie is doing. Her marathon endeavors provide significant impact for both the Maurice Weiss Pancreatic Cancer Fund, and the Lazarex Cancer Foundation, with whom she is now is in partnership. As an ambassador for Lazarex’s “Team for Life” endurance division twenty percent of the funds raised by Ms. Weiss will be allocated to help pancreatic cancer patients have access to breakthrough treatments through FDA clinical trials with the rest going to the foundation’s broader mission.

Ironically, the Founder and President of Lazarex Cancer Foundation, Dana Dornsife, lost her brother in law, Mike Miller, then 46 years old, to pancreatic cancer. This spurred her to find a way to help others facing advanced cancer and searching for some sort of hope when they have been told there are no other options. As of 2013, the foundation has raised over 5 million dollars and provided 312 patients in 43 states and 6 countries, with financial assistance, making it possible for them to participate in clinical trials.

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer related death, most patients die within 2 years of their diagnosis. Despite this grim statistic, it is the most under funded of all cancer research. To date, Ms. Weiss has raised nearly $250,000, and is not stopping until she reaches $1 million.

Though the 52 marathons are behind her, Ms. Weiss continues to run and raise funds. Just this year alone she ran the LA Marathon and will run the Boston Marathon, the Big Sur International Marathon, the San Francisco Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon as a member of Team for Life for the Lazarex Cancer Foundation.

For Ms. Weiss, the “next big thing” is seeing 2 pancreatic survivors winning their battle and running their own half marathons to prove it. Roberta Luna, 56 and an 11-year pancreatic cancer survivor, just competed a half-marathon. Ms. De la Cruz, as already mentioned, completed a full marathon just this past March. “These women have hearts of gold, and are full of determination, life and love,” said Ms. Weiss. “That is really what it’s all about!”

Pre-Race Screening of Spirit of the Marathon II, April 26, Monterey, CA
During the Big Sur International Race weekend Ms. Weiss will be a host/guest at a pre-race screening of the Spirit of the Marathon II film in which she was featured as one of seven runners at the Rome Marathon. This was the beginning of her quest to run one marathon a week for a year to honor the memory of her father. Proceeds benefit the Maurice Weiss Pancreatic Cancer Fund.  For information and tickets go to www.Lazarex.org.

Learn more about Team for Life at www.teamforlifelcf.org and Julie Weiss, Marathon Goddess, at www.marathongoddess.com.

About the author:
Maida Broudo has worked with cancer patients since she was 19, at the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and the National Cancer Institute, where clinical trials were de rigeur. She spent much of her career with patients-mostly in delivering Radiation Therapy, but also as a "navigator" helping them find the best team for their diagnosis.

As a marathon runner, who has run 10 Boston Marathons to raise money for cancer research, Maida found an instant love for the Lazarex Cancer Foundation when introduced by her aunt and uncle. She felt it a match of her own heart and could not look away.

Maida is currently a health journalist, consultant, and yoga teacher. She also teaches at Harvard Medical School and tutors nursing and allied health professionals. It is her very deep pleasure to be involved with Lazarex, and looks forward to making a difference for cancer patients.