This past August, thousands of runners crowded the streets of Sydney, but in the midst of the crowd, one daughter ran with her mother’s memory guiding every step. Kelly Blessing ran in honor of her late mother, Laura, who passed from pancreatic cancer in March.
From training in New York City to tackling Sydney’s hills and crowds, every mile became a way to channel grief, celebrate her mother’s life, and support Project Purple, turning the marathon into a personal journey of healing with an impact that stretched far beyond the finish line.
A Growing Connection to Running
Running wasn’t always central to Kelly’s life. Like many teenagers, she dabbled in sports, playing field hockey and participating in track for a time in high school. It wasn’t until the past few years, as she settled into life in New York City, that running became more than exercise; it became an outlet, a way to reflect, process emotions, and find a sense of personal rhythm amid a busy life.
New York’s streets and parks became her training ground, a place where she could focus on herself while also thinking about the people she loved. Though she hadn’t run alongside her mother, Laura, her mom was Kelly’s biggest supporter in every endeavor, athletic or otherwise. She even came to cheer Kelly on at the NYC Marathon with Project Purple last year in the midst of her treatments—a memory Kelly treasures to this day.
They shared other active adventures aside from running, from hiking nearby trails to kayaking and paddleboarding at her parents’ vacation home in Westerly, Rhode Island, the spot Laura lovingly called her “happy place.” Kelly recalls those moments with warmth, saying even while her mom was going through treatments, she would get out on the water and have fun.
These shared experiences left her with enduring memories of her mother’s joy, resilience, and love for life: qualities that would later inspire her own running journey.
Remembering Laura
Laura Blessing was more than a mother; she was Kelly’s best friend, confidante, and greatest cheerleader. “She was the best mom I could have asked for,” Kelly recalls. “She was always my biggest supporter, cheering me on in everything I did, and we could talk for hours about anything. She really was my person.”
Beyond her relationship with Kelly, Laura left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Known for her warmth, positivity, and compassion, she had a way of making anyone feel heard, cared for, and supported. These qualities became even more apparent during the challenging years of her pancreatic cancer journey.
Laura’s health battle began with what seemed like minor digestive issues, which were initially overlooked as routine gastrointestinal problems. It wasn’t until May 2021 that an ultrasound revealed a mass on her pancreas, leading to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis at the age of 54. Healthy, active, and in excellent shape, the news came as a shock.
What made the diagnosis even more surprising was that Laura had already beaten cancer once before. At just sixteen, she was diagnosed with leukemia and endured two and a half years of chemotherapy, ultimately making a full recovery. She went on to live decades of a healthy, active life without complications, making her pancreatic cancer diagnosis feel especially unfair.
She underwent chemotherapy and later underwent the Whipple surgery, which went well, and she remained cancer-free for nearly two years, continuing to approach life with the same warmth, energy, and positivity that had always defined her.
When the cancer recurred in 2023, spreading and requiring additional chemotherapy and radiation, Laura faced the challenge with unwavering resilience. Kelly recalls a summer day in Rhode Island when Laura insisted on racing her across the water: Laura on a paddleboard, Kelly in a kayak.
“She was going through treatments, but she still wanted to have fun,” Kelly remembers. “We were laughing the whole time, and she still beat me to the shore. I think about that a lot and imagine her propelling me forward, racing me toward the finish line.”
Inspired by Her Mom’s Strength
Laura’s strength and resilience left an indelible mark on Kelly. “She always had such a positive outlook on her diagnosis and never wanted to burden anyone,” Kelly says. “She was so resilient in the face of cancer. Facing it not once, but twice, and still moving forward—that’s something so unique to her. She’s like a superhero to me.”
Even while undergoing treatments, Laura remained a source of warmth and support. “She was always someone everyone wanted to be around,” Kelly recalls. “Everyone felt comfortable with her, and she was an incredible listener. Despite what she was going through, she always made time for other people.”
That warmth and selflessness live on through those she loved most. “I can feel my mom through her friends and family,” Kelly says. “I can feel her presence through the people she loved.”
Kelly truly believes that she got her strength from her mom, and when her mom’s cancer recurred in 2023, she found a way to channel that perseverance into action. Around that time, she discovered Project Purple, an organization that combines running with raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer.
“I had just gotten into running and thought Project Purple would be a great way to make a difference,” Kelly says. “I felt like my mom’s journey was giving me that push, and I took it as a sign that I should keep moving, keep running, and make a difference that way.”
Kelly signed up for the NYC Marathon first, where her mom’s support was such a significant motivator. “It was super meaningful,” Kelly says. “At that time, she was still going through treatments, but she still found a way to come to New York.”
Everyone around Kelly and Laura at that race could see the mutual pride and admiration they shared: each inspired the other, one by running, the other by enduring treatment with courage—a bond strengthened by perseverance, love, and unwavering support.
Inspired by that experience and driven by her mom’s example, Kelly later set her sights on the Sydney Marathon. “I saw that there was an opening on the Sydney team right around when my mom passed in March, so I took it as a sign from her to keep going,” Kelly says.
Throughout her training, she drew motivation from her mom’s strength, carrying her spirit with her every step of the way. “I was inspired by her strength always,” Kelly says. “She went through so much, and you would never know. She was always there for everyone around her. So I told myself—if my mom could do all of that with such grace and resilience, then I can run a marathon. It seems small compared to what she went through.”
Running Sydney: Reflection, Solitude, and Hope
Going from running in her own city to traveling across the world for her second marathon was a completely different experience for Kelly. Unlike the NYC Marathon, where Laura was there to cheer her on, Sydney became a deeply personal and solitary journey—one that allowed Kelly to honor her mother’s memory, reflect on her grief, and channel her perseverance into every step.
Running Sydney required a whole new kind of preparation and mindset. “It felt really good to be in a whole new environment and to accomplish that. There was a lot more prep going into it, but it was awesome to see the city and experience a whole new place while running.”
She took the trip solo, turning it into an entire adventure that extended beyond the marathon itself. After Sydney, Kelly traveled to the Whitsunday Islands, Melbourne, and Bali, embracing time to explore, reflect, and honor her mother’s memory while still pursuing her passion for running.
During the race itself, Kelly carried a small but powerful reminder of her purpose: a Project Purple sign on her back that read, “I run for my mom.” Facing one of the many unexpected inclines, she felt the physical strain of the hill, but a brief encounter lifted her spirits.
A fellow runner came up beside her and said, “Your mom is so proud of you,” before continuing on. The words struck Kelly deeply, and she took them as a sign: a reminder that her mother’s presence and encouragement were with her, even across the world. That moment became a defining memory of the race, fueling her determination to reach the finish line.
Throughout the race, whenever fatigue or doubt crept in, Kelly sensed her mother’s presence, which motivated her to push forward and reach the finish. That connection, felt so strongly despite the distance and loss, made the marathon not just a physical challenge, but an emotional journey of remembrance and resilience.
When Kelly finally crossed the finish line in Sydney, the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. She truly felt as if her mom was right there with her, celebrating every step.
Beyond the physical challenge, Kelly felt a profound sense of community throughout her Sydney Marathon experience, especially as her mother’s friends had been such a strong support during her grieving process. “I know everyone couldn’t fly across the world, but everyone was very much still there,” Kelly says. “My mom’s friends, family, and everyone have been incredibly supportive and really shared the mission to help end pancreatic cancer.”
For Kelly, the race was about more than personal achievement; it was about creating impact. She hopes her efforts can make a difference for other families facing pancreatic cancer. “I just hope that this can help make a difference in other families’ lives facing this disease, and hopefully, fewer families will have to go down this path in the future. If there’s anything that can be done to minimize that, I hope we can make it happen.”
Kelly also encourages others to consider signing up for a travel race. She calls it “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and says it’s a unique way to combine running with a meaningful cause. “It was a really special way to be part of Project Purple’s mission,” she explains. “I would encourage anyone to do it.”
If you’d like to run or participate in an event of your own for Project Purple, visit our events page.
