Raúl Méndez

In November 2025, pancreatic cancer changed my family's life.

My father, Raúl Méndez Sr., was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, he was an endurance cyclist who never backed down from a challenge. He fought with everything he had for 9 months before passing away at age 73.

This run is for him and for the countless fathers, mothers, grandparents, spouses, and loved ones taken by one of the deadliest forms of cancer. 

My goal is simple: Raise funds, raise awareness and end pancreatic cancer forever.
 

My name is Raúl Osvaldo Méndez, firstborn son of Suzanne and Raúl Osvaldo Méndez. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico but have been living in New York City for the last I-don't-know-how-many-years. My day job is being a creative director writer at an ad agency. My other jobs include being a dad, playing padel and running a small padel brand.

I have never been a runner, in fact, I came out of the factory with the "not made for running" package installed in me, given the flat feet and terrible plantar fasciitis. But when my father started going through the disease, I was traveling back and forth from New York to Puerto Rico. I started running to stay active, distract myself, and see if you could really outrun sadness.

After a 9-month battle he simply could not fight anymore and went to rest. This is a tribute to an incredible man, with whom I share more than a first name, a middle name and a last name.

Thank you for reading and let's end pancreatic cancer together.