Help Leigh raise money

This September 20th, 2026, I’ll be racing in the Constantine Yorkville 5K Run on behalf of my company, GutFit Nutrition, to support Pancreatic Cancer North America. 

Pancreatic cancer has long been considered a rare type of cancer, but one of the hardest to treat. Thanks to advances in medicine, early treatments and targeted therapies the 5 year survival rate has increased to 13% in North America as compared with 2-3% a few decades ago (1). It often is not caught until it has metastasized (spread to other organs), making treatment much more difficult. 

I’ve chosen to fundraise for pancreatic cancer north america as my father is currently going through treatment for pancreatic cancer. He has been receiving excellent care, and thanks to advances in medicine, outcomes are looking positive. 

As a Dietitian and founder of GutFit Nutrition, a health and nutrition practice focused on gut health and fitness – supporting management and preventative care for digestive diseases is at the heart of what we do. 

The pancreas is an underappreciated organ in my professional and personal opinion - many people don’t realize how much it does for us! Some amazing functions include:

I’ve had the opportunity to author various articles & podcast episodes on Pancreatic related conditions in the last several years including:

Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatitis and IBS Connection: Don’t Let Your Symptoms Go Unchecked: https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/pancreatic-cancer-pancreatitis-and-ibs-connection-dont-let-your-symptoms-go-unchecked/

Some additional high quality resources about pancreatic cancer, include:

Gastrointestinal Society (available online or sign up for their quarterly print newsletter!): https://badgut.org/?s=pancreatic+cancer

Dianne’s Remarkable Pancreatic Cancer Story: https://badgut.org/about-us/newsroom/badgut-stories/dianne-balon/

With rates continuing to rise and this condition still being difficult to treat, I am excited to support advances in treatment for the condition, as well as research into prevention. 

I’m excited to participate in this race, and will also be attempting to run a new personal best 5K goal faster than my current personal time of 19:55. This will be a mental and physical challenge for a great cause, with great returns! 

Our fundraising goal is $2500. 

If you would like to support, you can donate directly through my fundraising page below!

I am also donating offering 25% off my online store and donating all proceeds from sales on my online store from August 25th to September 5th. If you’d like to shop menu plans, mini courses to support your IBS, gut health and fitness and support a great cause, check out the site here: gutfitnutrition.com/shop Use code PANCREAS25. 

Questions? Email me: leigh@leighmerotto.com. 

Follow along with my journey: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gutfitnutrition

Podcast: https://gutfitnutrition.com/podcast