On Sunday, August 17, 2025, Project Purple will host the Steps For a Cure 5K in Honor of James DiGiovanna. This event takes place at Heckscher State Park in East Islip, New York, at 9 am. The event was initiated by James DiGiovanna Jr., his son. James Sr. is remembered as an incredible father and was beloved in his community.
James DiGiovanna’s Battle With Pancreatic Cancer
James Sr. was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2023. He experienced stomach pain, but mistook his pain for food poisoning. “He just came back from doing an Ironman in the Philippines,” said his son James Jr. “He chalked it up to food poisoning, or something in the water he drank. Later, he went to the doctor and found out that he had pancreatic cancer.”
James was always active. He was an Iron Man, triathlete, and always started his day with a run. Honoring his father with a 5k just felt right to James Jr. “It just felt like the ultimate fit, and it’s something that everybody can do. If you can’t run, you can walk.
And if you’re running or walking, he would be happy as long as some way, somehow you cross the finish line.”
James was also a proud Ex-Chief, Fire Commissioner, and a member of the Great River Fire Department in Great River, NY. He was a member of the Islip Town Fire Chiefs Council as well.
James Senior’s Presence In His Community
“My father was there for the community. If somebody wasn’t feeling well, he would go and do something nice at their house. He would plant flowers or something, and make their house look nice. He would always drop by and ask how you were doing,” James Jr. said. “He was always one for the community. He loved his town and loved the people in it. I know that he’s greatly missed.”
James Jr. has a lot of great things to say about his father, and for good reason. He was a compassionate man who cared about his family and his community. This is why the Steps For a Cure 5K is so important for the town of East Islip.
“It’s our time all together to rally behind him,” said James Jr. “This is for him. We are continuing his name and his legacy. And we want a world without pancreatic cancer. That’s ultimately what we want, and everybody should get screened, do testing, and do genetic counseling. That’s what this 5K is about.”
The Significance of Heckscher State Park
Heckscher State Park meant a lot to the DiGiovanna family. It was in their backyard, so Senior would take his whole family, including his three children. The park is accessible for running and biking, has beaches, obstacle courses, and even trails.
The kids loved going to the park and loved their dad as well. They call him “Superman” because of how incredible he was as a father.
“He was a great provider,” said James Jr. “He instilled a phenomenal work ethic in me and my two sisters. And he knew how to have a great time. So we would go out on the boat together, and we would go on vacations together. When we were together, we always laughed. He was a great dad, and I know he’s looking down on us and is proud of what we’re doing.”
It is very meaningful to James Jr. to have his family and entire community come and support his father, especially because it is happening right in his childhood backyard.
Sharing More Than Just A Name
James Jr. knows that it is “quite amazing” to share the same name as his father. “I love my name, and I’m so happy that I have his name, said James Jr. “He would love all of this.”
This event does more than raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. It also represents the importance of family and the powerful bond a father can have with their son.
Project Purple and the DiGiovanna family invite you to click this link to register for the Steps For a Cure 5K in Honor of James DiGiovanna. Both in-person and virtual options are available.
