Meet Meredith Brown, YPB Member

Meredith Brown, YPB Member

Meredith's heart is purple for her grandmother, Ann Brown, who passed away from pancreatic cancer while Meredith was in high school.  As Meredith remembers, "She was kind, generous, and cared deeply about her family. She taught me many things including how to sew and how to play the sport of curling. She has been an inspiration for me that you can do anything you set your mind to and that it is possible to do it all as long as you find the balance in things and have a positive attitude."

According to Meredith, "It is for her and the rest of my family that I felt compelled to join the YPB and help to raise awareness and support of early detection so that someday no one else will have to go through the pain of losing someone to pancreatic cancer."

Now, for some fun facts about Meredith...

Her favorite quote is: "Choose to be happy."

Meredith's favorite sports team is the University of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Team.  She started out her college career at UK and still bleeds blue!

When asked about an interesting hobby or passion, Meredith shared, "I have been participating in the sport of curling since I could walk. When I was younger I even went to the JR Nationals representing Team Illinois twice!"

She is inspired by her parents Ken and Amy.  "They inspire me everyday to be the best person I can be, to love my family, and to live every moment to the fullest."

Meredith currently lives in her hometown of Deerfield, IL.  She graduated with a B.A. in English from Loyola Univeristy of Chicago and works as a teaching assistant at a local elementary school in the special education department. She is currently in the process of applying to go back to school to get her masters degree and teaching certification.

Meet Storm Saponaro, YPB Member

Storm Saponaro, YPB Member

Storm's heart is purple for his father, Chuck Saponaro, who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer 5 years ago this May.  "My Dad still is my role model and he is the reason that I joined the YPB. Hopefully we can work towards a cure so others do not have to go through what our family has endured."

Now, for some fun facts about Storm...

His favorite quote is:  "Always play like there is one minute left."

When asked about his favorite sports team, Storm replied, "I root for all of the Chicago Teams."

He enjoys volunteering.

Storm's favorite restaurant in Chicago is Sapori, an Italian restaurant in Lincoln Park.

He is inspired by his Mom and Dad.

Growing up, Storm wanted to be, "A business man."

In the summer, Storm's favorite activity is "Going to the Cubs game with my brother and hanging outside with friends."  During the winter, "Marathoning a TV show with friends or reading a great book on my couch!"

Storm is a Chicago native and currently lives in Chicago's Ravenswood Manor neighborhood.  He graduated with a B.S. in Business and Enterprise Management from Wake Forest University Schools of Business and now works as a Sales Operations Manager for energy.me. Storm describes himself as outgoing, and he has a younger brother named Jett.