Omaris Valencia’s marathon journey was always shared with her biggest cheerleader… her husband, Joe. After she completed her fifth World Marathon Major in Tokyo in March 2024, where Joe proposed, their lives took a heartbreaking turn. In January 2025, Joe was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer at just 39 years old. Following a brave six-month battle, Joe passed away in June 2025.
Now, Omaris is dedicating her final Abbott World Marathon Major, the Boston Marathon, to Joe’s legacy. By partnering with Project Purple, she is transforming her grief into powerful advocacy.
Raising Awareness: Sharing Joe’s story to highlight the importance of understanding family history, genetic risk factors, and recognizing subtle health changes.
Funding Research: Emphasizing the critical need for early detection methods, as pancreatic cancer often presents without symptoms until its advanced stages.
Honoring a Legacy: Earning her 6-star finisher medal in Boston to fulfill Joe’s wish, keeping his memory alive while making a tangible impact on the lives of future patients.
Support the Cause: You can help Omaris and Project Purple work toward a world without pancreatic cancer. Every contribution helps fund vital early detection research and provides much-needed financial aid to patients currently battling the disease.
