Jill Wagar

I became an Ambassador for Project Purple because I wanted to join the fight to raise awareness, fund critical research, and support patients and families facing pancreatic cancer.

Three years ago, I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer. It is an incredibly difficult disease to diagnose, and far too often, by the time someone receives a diagnosis, it is already too late — which was unfortunately the case for my mom.

My mom was always active, and I learned my love of fitness and movement from her. She loved to run, bike, swim, and cross-country ski — never competitively, but simply because she enjoyed being active and valued the time it gave her for herself.

Because of the passion we shared for staying active, I felt it was fitting to honor her memory by taking on a new challenge. This year, I’ve signed up to compete in the Chicago Triathlon on August 23 in support of Project Purple. Last year, I completed a half marathon for the organization (pictured above), but this year I wanted to push myself even further and take on a new challenge.

In addition to the triathlon, I’ll also be hosting a community fundraising event this summer at Defined Training, my home gym for the past 10 years. They have generously donated their space and time to support both me and Project Purple.

The event will take place on Saturday, July 18 at 12:00 PM and will feature a workout class open to all fitness levels. Come join us for a fun workout, work up a sweat, and support a great cause. A minimum donation of $25 is requested to reserve your spot. Space will be limited, so please send your RSVP as soon as possible. RSVP to jillwagar@hotmail.com.

If you’re unable to attend the class or cheer me on at the triathlon, I would still be incredibly grateful for any donation you are willing to make to Project Purple in support of this journey and the fight against pancreatic cancer.