William Miller

I’m running the Austin Half Marathon on February 15 on behalf of Project Purple and in memory of my aunt, Marie Miller Peterek, who passed away from pancreatic cancer this December after a yearslong, courageous fight.

Marie was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and a fixture of her community in Austin. She was a leader of women and men, and if you were lucky enough to know her, you felt steadier for it. To me, she was the embodiment of a proper Texas Woman: stern yet loving, pragmatic yet soulful. And she spent her life giving - to her family, her students, her church, and anyone who needed guidance or care.

One reason Marie was able to fight as long as she did is that her pancreatic cancer was caught early through routine imaging after a previous rare cancer. That early detection likely gave her years she otherwise would not have had. It also made early detection, patient support, and better treatment outcomes - pillars of Project Purple's mission - deeply personal to our family.

I’ve never run a half marathon before. Prior to 2026 I'd never run more than 5-6 miles in one session. I’m doing it now as a small act of effort in Marie’s name with a simple but somewhat ambitious goal: Raising $2.1K, that is, $100 for every kilometer in a race that honors her strength and helps others get a better chance than pancreatic cancer too often allows.

Marie's mantra was "love is the key to everything." And if she taught us anything, it’s that love is shown through action. If you’re able, please consider donating in her memory and helping Project Purple give more families time, support, and hope.