Davin Van de Zilver will be running the New York City Marathon on Nov. 2, 2025, for his lifelong mentor and role model, Crystal Morgan. In 2016, Crystal was diagnosed with pancreatic and duodenal cancer. To show his love for his close family friend, Davin decided to run the New York City Marathon for Project Purple.
You can click here to support Davin’s NYC Marathon fundraising efforts.
Davin and Crystal’s Connection
Crystal has known Davin since he was born. She is a very close friend of his father, with whom she attended high school and participated in gymnastics. Since then, Crystal has become a constant in the Van de Zilvers’ lives.
In an interview with Project Purple, Crystal stated that Davin is “one of the most mature, most dedicated, most genuine human beings that I’ve ever met, even when he was 10 years old.” She also said that Davin shows “empathy” and “compassion,” and “could tell that he was going to make a difference.”
Davin stated in the same interview that it is “hard to put in words” what it has been like having a strong mentor like Crystal. “She’s always there for a phone call. She’s always there. She’s happy for me, no matter what.”
Davin’s Running Journey
Davin, a lifelong hockey player, always saw running as “the last thing I really wanted to do.” He played in college, but in his last two years, 2022 and 2023, he sustained injuries that fractured three vertebrae and caused two shoulder surgeries.
Hockey was no longer an option for Davin. But with some swimming and very little running experience, along with an enjoyment of biking, he decided to participate in a triathlon in 2024, a year after graduating from college.
Specifically, Davin ran a half-ironman distance triathlon. This race includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56 miles of biking, and a 13.1-mile run. In doing so, he raised $1.76K for Project Purple through their 2024 Pioneer Program. This program has raised $49.91K to date with the goal to raise $50,000.
Davin then wrote in a blog post, “Crystal has inspired me to help a cause that has caused much pain and suffering, in the hopes that someday in the future there is a cure for this evil disease.”
Davin really enjoyed the triathlon. “I thought it was a really hard goal to reach and I enjoyed that,” he said. “And then I thought, ‘well, what’s next?’”
It turns out, running the New York City Marathon is what is next for Davin.
Davin And Crystal’s Connection To Project Purple
In 2016, Crystal was diagnosed with pancreatic and duodenal cancer. Through this diagnosis, Davin and Crystal became familiar with Project Purple and the cause our organization fights for.
She was invited to join Project Purple for an episode of the Project Purple Podcast to share her story in 2021.
The first major sign for Crystal that something was wrong was when she passed out at a friend’s pool party. She was also experiencing nausea and sickness, so Crystal went to the hospital, but she “Collapsed in the emergency room doorway.” After being checked out, Crystal was informed that she had pancreatic cancer.
“I had ab pain, back pain, everything that would tell you, ‘Go to the emergency room. Go to the doctor!”
After being diagnosed, Crystal started chemo and radiation therapy. This shrank the tumor, which allowed Crystal to have a Whipple procedure. Unfortunately, the surgeons were not able to get all of the tumor. Crystal now had to get immunotherapy. She called this series of events “the battle of my life.”
Crystal did have many members of her support system to lean on, including her nurses. Crystal stated that she “is blessed. I have a great system.” One of the most important parts of this system is Crystal’s faith. “Where I found the most comfort was talking with God.” Crystal’s support system is still there for her, and Davin is showing his support in a very active way.
While running the New York City Marathon for Project Purple, Davin will sport our singlet, which means a lot to Crystal. She stated that it is “so empowering” as a survivor to see runners on the course in purple singlets.
What The Marathon Means For Crystal
Crystal is not surprised that Davin is taking on the challenge of a marathon to honor and help other people facing pancreatic cancer. She “cried like a baby” when Davin told her he was running, and stated that he is “so selfless, and always has been,” and that he always supported everybody else around him “without complaining.”
In response to Davin running the marathon, Crystal said, “It just means the world to me. The honor of having Davin in my life, and the honor of watching him grow into an incredible young man.”
Crystal enjoys cheering for the runners. She called them “Some selfless and brave human beings. It really gives a new meaning to humanity, kindness, and generosity, and Davin embodies all of that. Now I get to watch him run across in his singlet and wear Project Purple.”
Excitement For Race Day
On race day, Nov. 2, Davin is most excited to “Take in everything, just the absolute vibes of the crowd, the fans, the cheering, and just enjoy the moment. To be in the moment and to be present.” He also emphasized that he is going to “Just go for it and have fun.”
Davin expressed that time is not the stress of the race. “It’s just to be able to go out there and support other runners.” He plans on enjoying every single moment of this “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
Crystal will follow Project Purple, but is most excited to see Davin. She sees herself as his “other momma,” which represents the love and connection the two have. Crystal mentioned that she is going to cry “tears of joy,” and is excited to see other people doing their part to help pancreatic cancer patients like herself.
If you are inspired by Davin and Crystal and would like to join Project Purple for a race, visit our Events Page.
