During Monica Garza’s final year in law school, she stood on the sidelines as hundreds of runners took to the streets for the Houston Chevron Marathon. She was blown away by the sight of people of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities coming together to take on a common challenge. She was terrified by the idea of running herself, but at the same time, she was inspired.
That day marked the beginning of what would become a lifelong relationship with running for Monica and her husband. In 2015, they both entered the lottery for their first half marathon. When Monica found out she had been selected, she was terrified. She had never run before, and suddenly, she had 13.1 miles ahead of her.
Since then, Monica has completed 10 half marathons, a handful of triathlons, 2 full marathons and is preparing to take on her third at the 2027 London Marathon. But this race will be unlike any she has run before. She will take to the streets on her own after months of fundraising in partnership with Project Purple, honoring her dad Joe Cuevas, who recently passed away from pancreatic cancer
A Race Against Time
In September 2025, Monica received a phone call from her dad as he was leaving the emergency room. It was the kind of call no one wants to receive. Doctors had discovered a mass in his abdomen and urged him to seek specialized care immediately. He was referred to MD Anderson Cancer Center for further testing and evaluation.
For Joe, the diagnosis meant traveling roughly five hours from home to receive care. Fortunately, Monica lived just a short drive from the cancer center, allowing her to be there for her dad at a time when everything felt uncertain. Just three days later, on September 13th, Monica and her family received the news that Joe was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The days that followed were filled with appointments, questions, and uncertainty as Joe and his family began trying to understand what the diagnosis meant and what would come next. For Monica, being so close to MD Anderson meant she could support her dad as he navigated treatment, being by his side and giving him a place to stay.
“It’s like you’re drinking from a water hose and everything is coming at you so fast,” Monica shared. “You’re trying to process what your options are and what the life expectancy is. It was very fast and overwhelming.”
Monica was by her dad’s side as he explored every possible treatment option, including opportunities to participate in clinical trials. But as quickly as the diagnosis came, Joe’s health began to decline. What initially changed from week to week soon became day to day, and eventually, hour to hour.
Shortly before Christmas, Joe was undergoing chemotherapy when doctors increased the strength of his treatment, placing an even greater toll on his body. He was soon admitted to the hospital, where he remained for two weeks through the new year. After returning home, Joe entered hospice care, where he was surrounded by his family during his final days. He passed away with his loved ones by his side.
From the time he was diagnosed, only four months went by before he passed away.
“It was just astonishing to see how much it impacted his body so quickly,” Monica said.
A Pillar in His Community
Joe was always extremely supportive of Monica. That same love and support continued well into Monica’s adulthood. Even when living five hours away made it difficult for them to see each other often, Joe always found ways to stay connected and keep tabs on Monica, making sure she was doing okay and reminding her that he was always there for her.
Joe also played a tremendous role in his community, particularly through his work as a small business owner. His journey in the seafood industry began with his parents, who owned a small fleet of shrimp boats. What started as a family business eventually grew into a seafood market and later evolved into Los Tortugos Seafood Market, a successful restaurant that Joe owned and operated.
For Joe, the business was about more than simply making a living. It became a way for him to connect with the people around him, build relationships within his community, and create something he could be proud of. His dedication to the business reflected the same commitment he brought to so many other parts of his life, leaving a lasting impact on the people who knew him.
“He would give the shirt off his back to whoever needed it; that is why it was a tremendous loss,” Monica said. “He was such a pillar in the community.”
His kindness and generosity extended far beyond his community, reaching all the way into Monica’s. When Hurricane Harvey caused devastating damage throughout the City of Houston, Joe did not hesitate to find a way to help. Without hesitation, he gave Monica his credit card and told her to purchase whatever supplies people who had been impacted needed.
Even when he wasn’t physically present, Joe found ways to make a difference.
A Charity Close to Her Heart
Not only did watching her dad fight pancreatic cancer significantly impact Monica, but spending so much time at the hospital and watching all the ways it affects so many other people stuck with her as well. Joe was fortunate enough to have resources and funds to get treatment and have a strong support system helping him push through. Monica understands not everyone has that.
“I can’t imagine not having that support. We did have that support for him, and it was still hard,” Monica said. “I often think about the people who don’t have that support, and I can’t imagine going through it by yourself.”
That’s why Monica decided she needed to do her part.
Monica had known that she could run marathons in partnership with charities, and she had even applied to several programs in the past but was never selected. After everything she and her family had experienced with her dad’s cancer journey, however, she knew she wanted to try again. This time, she wanted her miles to carry a deeper meaning and find a way to use her passion for running to make a difference.
“If I’m going to ask my friends and family to donate, there needs to be meaning behind it.”
Now, she has the chance to run for a charity that holds an even deeper meaning for her: Project Purple.
A Full-Circle Moment
Running any marathon in partnership with Project Purple would be meaningful for Monica, but the opportunity to run in London carries an even greater significance. London was the only city Joe ever traveled to abroad, making it a place that holds a special connection to him. Now, Monica will return to that same city in a completely different way, running in his honor, carrying his legacy with her, and raising money to support pancreatic cancer research. For Monica, it is a true full-circle moment.
“I know I’m going to feel my dad with me,” Monica said. “I’ll be so tired, but getting to the end I’ll feel him with me.”
Monica is looking forward to the excitement and emotion that will come with race day. She knows the moment will be filled with memories, and she wants to be fully present and take it all in. Rather than focusing solely on her finish time, Monica wants to appreciate the experience, the people around her, and the significance of why she is running. She wants to remember as much of the day as she can, long after she crosses the finish line.
“I get goosebumps thinking about it,” Monica shared.
On race day, Monica will have a community there cheering her on. Her husband, mom, stepdad, and some of her siblings hope to be there to support her along the way. She also has friends who got in through the lottery and will be running the day after her. She’ll have all of these people rallying behind her and supporting her as she works toward crossing the finish line.
“I’m looking forward to crossing the finish line and knowing I achieved the fundraising goal and did everything I wanted to do,” Monica said. “The actual 26.2 miles is the easiest part because there is so much I have to do from now until then.”
Honoring Dad: The Bigger Picture
Monica hopes her story inspires others to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and recognize the signs that could potentially help someone else. So many people are affected by the disease, and for Monica, being in tune with your body and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right is incredibly important.
Most importantly, Monica wants to carry her dad’s story and memory forward by honoring the generous and gracious person he was. Through her running, fundraising, and advocacy, she hopes to continue his legacy and keep the impact he had on the people around him alive.
“I can run, I can get through it, and I can suffer through 26.2 miles but I’m keeping the bigger picture of why I’m doing this, and why I’m asking people to donate,” Monica said. “It’s in honor of him and the person he was. He was always there for his family and community, giving whatever he could.”
If you’d like to run or participate in an event of your own for Project Purple, visit our events page.
