Meet Luke Sullivan, YPB Member

Luke Sullivan, YPB Member

Luke's heart is purple for his grandmother, Ruth Dzikonski, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2013.  "Her fight has inspired me to work so that nobody else has to experience what she is going through. She has been such an amazing influence on my life and I hope to honor her through my involvement with the foundation."

When asked about his favorite memory of his grandmother, Luke responded, "I will always cherish all the fun times visiting my grandmother during Christmases when I was growing up."

Now, for some fun facts about Luke...

His favorite quote is: "Live in the moment."

Born and raised in Texas, Luke's favorite sports team is the Dallas Cowboys.

Luke describes himself as "driven" and enjoys reading and being active.

When asked about his favorite restaurant, Luke responded, "There are so many great restaurants that it's hard to pick just one. Ann Sather is one of my favorites- it's hard to beat the cinnamon rolls and I have lots of good memories there."

Luke is inspired by "anybody who succeeds when the odds are against them."

As a child, Luke wanted to grow up to become a firefighter.

In the summer, Luke's favorite activity is playing beach volleyball.  During the winter, you can find Luke "wishing I was back home in Texas where it's warmer."

Luke is from Carrollton, TX and currently lives in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. He graduated with a B.A. in Biochemistry from Kenyon College and works as a researcher at The ABIS Group, a competitive intelligence and health care information company.

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.

Meet Jacob Murphy, YPB Member

Jacob Murphy, YPB Member

Jacob's heart is purple for his grandmother, Perle Cole, who taught him all the worthwhile things he knows about loving life.  "She gave me a ring while she was quite sick, and I have yet to take off to this day."

During her illness, Jacob remembers his grandmother buying a small rotisserie oven for her bedroom to cook chicken.  According to Jacob, "It wasn’t that she had a particular thing for chicken (she actually didn't like to cook too much), but she just saw the oven on an infomercial, observed she’d never bought anything from an infomercial, and decided that that was something she Just Had To Do – for fun.  She didn’t want to be (and wasn’t) ruled by her illness. She never stopped finding joy in the little things, and thought it would be a laugh to cook some chickens, because hey – why not?"

Now, for some fun facts about Jacob...

Jacob's favorite quote is:  "This makes no sense, and so do I." - Daffy Duck

When asked about his favorite sports team, Jacob replied, "If the Bulls and the Bears could somehow join forces, that... would be awesome."

Currently, one of Jacob's interesting hobbies is "Filling out Facebook surveys. They're always very interesting."

Jacob has several favorite restaurants in Chicago.  "Longman & Eagle, Violet Hour, Big Star, Elizabeth, Billy Sunday, Slurping Turtle, Sunda Fountainhead, Girl & the Goat ... I'm a sucker for food. And drinks."

Jacob is inspired by "My mother. My father. Edward Albee. The Beatles. Bob Dylan. John Steinbeck. Superman. Anyone who gets out of bed in the morning and accomplishes a good day’s work."

When asked what he aspired to be as a child, Jacob responded, "It was a tossup between Michael Jordan and Batman... I still aspire to be Batman."

Jacob's favorite summer activities are "Grilling burgers on a deck with good friends and cold beer."  As for his favorite winter activities, "Shoveling snow. Shivering. Layering."

Jacob is a Chicago native and currently lives in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood.  He graduated with a BFA in Theater and Film from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.  He is an actor, writer, and man about town with a particular interest in bookstores and local coffee shops.

Meet Joe Meginnes, YPB Member

Joe Meginnes, YPB Member

Joe's heart is purple for his former roommate's grandfather, his friend's mother, and all those who have been and will be affected by this disease, particularly his fellow YPB members. 

Some fun facts about Joe...

His favorite sports teams are Notre Dame football and the Chicago Cubs. "I’ve had a rocky existence."

The Publican is Joe's favorite restaurant in Chicago. "You can't beat the menu, beer list, and atmosphere."

People who give of themselves without any promise of future return inspire Joe.

As a child, he wanted to be a lawyer like his father; at various stages, he also wanted to be the GM of the Cubs and Steve McQueen.

In the summer, Joe loves live music outdoors. In the winter, he likes holing up at a dive bar in the neighborhood with a bunch of friends and making each other laugh.

"Genuine" is one word that describes him.

Joe is an attorney and lives in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and is from Peoria, IL.

Meet Brian Traynor, YPB Member

Brian's heart is purple for all of the people who have been impacted by pancreatic cancer. The stories I’ve heard from sons and daughters of people who have passed have inspired me to get involved. 

Now, for some fun facts about Brian...

His favorite sports teams are the Chicago Bears and White Sox.

Brian's family inspires him.

When he was a child, he wanted to grow up to be the President.

His favorite summer activity is boating and favorite winter activity is watching football.

Words that describe Brian are "Talented… Just Kidding. Caring."

Brian is a Hedge Fund Research Analyst and lives in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. He graduated from DePaul University and is from Long Grove, IL.

Meet Blair Siegel, YPB Member

Blair's heart is purple for the courageous men and women who fight everyday to overcome this terrible illness. Blair currently serves as the YPB's Sponsorship Chair.

Now, for some fun facts about Blair...

Blair's favorite quote is “be the change you wish to see in the world.”-Ghandi

Her favorite restaurant in Chicago is anywhere with great sushi!

The other members of the Young Professionals Board who work tirelessly to support an early detection test for pancreatic cancer inspire her.

As a child, Blair wanted to be a pediatrician when she grew up.

In the summer, Blair loves grilling on a deck with a great bottle of wine. In the winter, she likes to read by a fire.

A phrase that describes Blair is "small, but mighty."

Blair moved to Chicago from Pennsylvania to attend graduate school and received her masters in social work in 2012. She works for Crown Family Philanthropies. Blair and her husband marc were married in Philadelphia in October 2012 at a children's museum where their guests rode on a carousel during cocktail hour.