Growing up, Delilah’s relationship with her grandma, Carmita, was different than most. Spending the early years of her life living in Ecuador beside her, they created a bond like no other. Spending every day for 5 years together, Delilah considered her like a second mom.
When Delilah was 5 years old, her parents brought her to Ecuador so she could connect with her roots and experience the culture firsthand. There, her Carmita became her guide, teaching her everything from cooking and horseback riding to getting to school and the everyday rhythms of life on the farm. These moments became the foundation of a bond that would stay with Delilah the rest of her life.
Carmita was a strong, confident, and motivated woman who carried her morals strongly and valued the importance of generosity and kindness. The way that she lived her life and carried herself impacted Delilah greatly, shaping her outlook on life.
“I carry that spirit,” Delilah said. “If she were alive, she would love knowing what I’ve been doing.”
One of the memories Delilah cherishes most is making her grandmother’s empanadas. Growing up, the two spent countless hours in the kitchen together, with her grandmother patiently teaching her the family recipe. Delilah was fortunate enough to inherit that recipe, and every time she makes or takes a bite of those empanadas, she’s reminded of her grandmother and the place she will always call home.
Following Her Grandma’s Example
Delilah always knew her grandma for her charitable involvement. Living in rural Ecuador on a farm, one of the community’s strongest sources of support came through local markets and neighbors helping neighbors. Although Carmita couldn’t always contribute financially, she never hesitated to give her time, lend a hand, or help however she could.
The same generosity carried into their church in Ecuador. After Sunday Mass, the church regularly organized collections for food, books, and other essentials for families. Delilah remembers her Carmita among the first to step forward, eager to contribute whatever she could.
Watching those quiet acts of kindness left a lasting impression. Carmita showed her that making a difference wasn’t about how much money someone could give; it was about showing up for others with compassion. Today, Delilah carries those same values with her as a volunteer at New Haven Reads, where she helps children build literacy skills and find a love for reading.
Those experiences also shaped the way Delilah views nonprofit work. Rather than seeing it as simple as giving time or money, she believes volunteering is just as much about the compassion it inspires and the relationship it creates.
“People think it gives me money or gives me time, but no, it gives me compassion and gives me love,” Delilah said. “It’s not about a charity cause, it’s about what I can do to help.”
A Different Kind of Therapy
Running had always been a small part of Delilah’s life, remembering all the times she had to run to catch the buses in Ecuador or when she ran track and field in high school. It was always something she enjoyed as a hobby, but she steered away from it when she hurt her ankle.
Delilah had found out about Carmita’s diagnosis not long before she passed. It had been hard for Delilah to get to Ecuador frequently before this happened, but when they got the news, her whole family dropped everything and headed there to be by her side during her last moments.
“Seeing her go from the lively, strong person she was to being so fragile and thin was really hard to watch,” Delilah said.
Coping with the sudden loss of her grandmother and learning how to navigate those feelings was very difficult for Delilah, as their bond was so strong.
“The last 2 weeks were one of the most challenging things I’ve ever had to witness in life,” said Delilah.
In the midst of her pain, Delilah found herself asking What can I do with all this grief? One day, feeling overwhelmed and in need of an escape, she put on her shoes and ran 3 miles. Running became a way to quiet her mind, release the weight she was carrying, and find a temporary sense of peace amid the pain.
“It was like therapy,” she said.
Since starting to run, Delilah has completed four half marathons, the most recent one being partnered with Project Purple for the NYC Half. She had gotten to a point where she was tired of just grieving and would rather do something in remembrance.
A Common Goal
One day, Delilah spoke with someone who had previously run with Project Purple and shared her experience. The conversation immediately sparked her interest. She realized that running with Project Purple would allow her to transform her grief into something meaningful while honoring her grandma in a way she would have loved.
When Carmita was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Ecuador, access to research and resources was far more limited than it is in the United States. Knowing that other families face similar barriers is what fuels Delilah’s passion for fundraising. Every dollar she raises is driven by the hope that another family, whether it be in the United States, Ecuador, or anywhere else, will have access to support and opportunities that her grandma didn’t have.
“What better way to do it than with Project Purple,” Delilah said.
Delilah trained for the NYC Half in ways that connect her with others as they motivate each other. Alongside her friend, they created a run club that has allowed her to bring people together and meet other charity runners also running for things close to their hearts.
Through Project Purple and her run club, Delilah has learned that she is far from alone and there are so many others who take on endurance events in honor of someone they love. Every story is different, but they all have the same purpose: raising awareness and making a difference.
Being surrounded by others with similar experiences has made training and racing even more meaningful. Their stories continue to inspire Delilah, and she hopes her own journey inspires others as well.
Finding Her People Along The Way
The New York City Half Marathon felt like the perfect fit for Delilah because of Carmita’s love for the city. The first time she visited New York after coming to the United States, she was absolutely captivated. She even said she’d live there if she could. The community that is NYC is just the kind of thing she loves.
“It was a no-brainer,” Delilah said.
For Delilah, race day was nothing short of special. Being able to be a part of something so big and carry her grandma in her heart with her throughout the whole race meant everything to her.
As she reached mile 10, Delilah was greeted by her godfather, her brother, and the Project Purple team cheering her on from the sidelines. Her brother even joined her for the final three miles, running every step by her side.
“I was absolutely in tears,” She said. “Seeing the ginormous white flag and seeing them motivating me, I just thought, ‘oh my goodness, my people.’”
While Delilah was running, she didn’t see anyone else in a Project Purple Singlet. That was until someone pushed her to the end.
At one point during the race, Delilah felt like she had nothing left to give. Her mind was telling her to stop. Then, out of nowhere, she felt someone tug on her arm, encouraging her to keep going. When she looked over, she realized it was a fellow Project Purple runner she had never met before. They simply exchanged a smile, but in that moment, it carried meaning far beyond words.
“It was almost like we knew why we were running. I don’t know their names. We never introduced ourselves,” Delilah said. “We didn’t have to say a single thing. We just looked at each other, and we smiled because we knew exactly why we were doing that race.”
A Love That Inspires
It’s important for Delilah that awareness and education surrounding pancreatic cancer continue to grow. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can encourage more people to recognize the importance of early detection, ask questions, and have more open conversations about the disease.
Delilah hopes to continue her journey of raising funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer while honoring her grandma. She is even considering hosting a hot Pilates event because it is something her grandma would have loved.
The New York City Half Marathon was an unforgettable experience, not only for Delilah, but for her entire family. In Ecuador, honoring a loved one through an event like this is not a common tradition, so the journey allowed Delilah to share a new way of celebrating her grandmother’s life with the people closest to her.
“Just because someone passes away from something so awful doesn’t mean that the love stops right there,” Delilah said. “I think there are so many different ways to honor loved ones and the impact that they’ve left in our lives by impacting the lives of so many other people.”
If you’d like to run or participate in an event of your own for Project Purple, visit our events page.
