Meet Matt Withey, YPB Member

Matt's heart is purple for not only the millions of people who have lost someone special to pancreatic cancer, but for the millions more who lost the opportunity to know someone special. "My grandfather passed away from pancreatic cancer when I was young. People say to this day that he and I were so much alike — nearly the same person in many respects. I would have loved to have gotten to know him better."

Now for some fun facts about Matt...

His favorite sports team is whatever team is playing the Miami Heat.

Matt loves to fly fish. "I’ve been hooked since I was old enough to hold a rod," he said.

His favorite restaurants in Chicago are Joe’s Stone Crab in River North and Del Seoul in Lincoln Park.

As a child, Matt wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up. Unfortunately, he soon came to realize that people who get nauseous on carousels probably don’t make very good astronauts.

In the winter, he likes to head to the mountains to snowboard or head home to Phoenix to play golf, see family and thaw out.

Matt is a Real Estate Investment Associate and resides in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. He went to Northwestern University and is originally from Phoenix, AZ.

Meet Heather Venkatesh, YPB Member

Heather Venkatesh, YPB Member

Heather's heart is purple for her dad, Ron. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2012. He underwent the Whipple procedure on Feb. 29, 2012 to remove the tumor and followed up with recommended chemotherapy and radiation. "My dad is eager to gain back his strength so he can return to his active lifestyle. I feel very fortunate that the cancer was detected before it was too late," Heather said.

Now, for some fun facts about Heather...

Her favorite sports team is any Mizzou team, although they have been disappointing lately!

Heather's favorite restaurant in Chicago is Gibson’s. "My husband and I had our first date and rehearsal dinner there. I love my steak - you can’t beat a nice filet." 

In the summer, Heather likes to walk along Lake Michigan and go to Oak St. beach.

One word that best describes her is all qualities CAPRICORN.

Heather is a marketing professional at the American Hospital Association and resides in Chicago's River North neighborhood. She went to the University of Missouri for undergrad and is currently pursuing her MBA at Kellogg School of Management. Heather grew up in Roselle, IL.

Meet Andrew Roberts, YPB Member

Andrew Roberts, YPB Member

Andrew's heart is purple for his friend and fellow YPB member, Heather Rosenberg. "While I never had the pleasure of knowing her father personally, I witness the embodiment of his strength in Heather every day. While I cannot pretend to know the hurt that comes with losing a parent, I feel it is my duty to do my part to prevent that hurt from touching others."

Now, for some fun facts about Andrew...

His favorite quote: “Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on, forever.” – Coach Jim Valvano

Andrew's grandfather, Wallace Roberts, inspires him. He passed away from lymphoma in 2002. A survivor of polio as a child, Wally was never willing to let his disability affect his daily life or his work as a farmer. Bedridden from the chemotherapy and radiation, my grandpa still had an endless supply of jokes and smiles. He will always drive me to be strong.

As a child, Andrew wanted to be a Centerfielder for the Chicago Cubs when he grew up.

Andrew is a consultant and currently resides in Chicago's River North neighborhood. He went to Miami University and is from Buffalo Grove, IL.

Meet our Founder, Jim Rolfe

Jim Rolfe with YPB Members at Casino Night

Along with family and friends, Jim Rolfe started the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation in 1999. His heart is purple for his father, Mike, who passed away at the very young age of 61. "In simple words, my father was my best friend and hero. My value system is a product of his guidance, support, respectfulness of others and wisdom. I miss him very much, think of him daily and believe how truly proud he would be of all us who have come together to fight this horrific disease." 

Jim is inspired by all of his board members, YPB members and donors who donate their time and money to the organization. "I am continually impressed with the ambition and drive of our people as we continue to expand our organization. Together, we are making a difference."

Now, for some fun facts about Jim...

His favorite quote is “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

He loves Chicago sports teams: Cubs, Bears and Bulls.

A hobby Jim enjoys is building Lego items with his six year old son.

His favorite restaurant in Chicago is Joe’s Stone Crab.

When he was a child, he wanted to be a Big League baseball player.

Jim's favorite summer activities are water balloon fights with his kids and golfing.

A word that describes Jim is thoughtful.

Jim is a Managing Director, Commercial Banking at The PrivateBank & Trust Company. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his MBA from Kellogg School of Management. He resides in Highland Park.

Young Professional Member Jill Driscoll Meets Jack Andraka



Jack Andraka and Jill Driscoll

 Young Professional Member Jill Driscoll met Jack Andraka in November. Here is her story...

At Casino Night 2012, we were lucky enough to come up with the winning bid for a lunch date with Jack Andraka, the 15-year-old whiz who developed an innovative test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. In late November, we flew out to Maryland for a Sunday buffet brunch on Baltimore's Inner Harbor, with Jack and his mother, Jane.

We'd originally heard about Jack and his work through the Michael Rolfe Foundation, so we were already impressed with his research and the many accolades it had received, including the grand prize at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair. But to actually meet Jack and hear a first-hand account of his research was even more impressive. Jack has a passion for science, a love of problem-solving, and a contagious enthusiasm for life. What amazed us the most was that, as much as Jack's work has benefitted pancreatic cancer research, he's just as interested in research aimed at solving other problems, in other areas of medicine, and even in different fields outside of medicine altogether.

Getting to meet Jack and Jane and hear their stories was, for us, a fascinating tour of curiosity, wonder and inspiration. Before we knew it, we'd all been back to the buffet line one too many times, and it was time for us all to be getting on our way. We bid Jack and Jane farewell and wished them the best with Jack's continuing research. Hopefully, another lunch with Jack will be up for auction at the Michael Rolfe Foundation's Casino Night this year, and some other lucky people will have a chance to meet Jack and Jane. (But they'll have to outbid us first.)

Meet Robin Goldberg, YPB Member

Robin Goldberg, our newest YPB member

Robin's heart is purple for her mom, Susan Goldberg. Her mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2005 and lost her battle in August 2006. The summer before she passed, my brother and sister were living in New York so my mom, dad and I decided to take a trip to visit them. New York was always one of my mom’s favorite cities; the phrase ‘shop til you drop’ truly defined her. However, this trip was different than any other. She was so weak and so sick that she was barely able to make it out long without having to go back to the hotel to rest. The fun filled weekend we had all planned turned into a depressing touch of reality that made us all angry and irritable. When it was time to head home, my mom, dad and I left for the airport, beaten down by the outcome of the weekend. When we got to the airport, our flight had been cancelled. Instead of staying at the airport hoping to get on a later flight, we decided it would be best for my mom if we just booked a flight the following day. With one more day to spend in NY we decided to do what all good tourists do and go to Bloomingdales. The store was near closing, but we still had a few minutes to shop around. Riding up the elevator my mom looked at herself in the mirror and started to cry. The reality of her sickness had hit and she hated the toll it had taken on her looks. At that moment we decided it would be a great idea if she got a makeover. Although the store was supposed to close soon, the nice woman at the makeup counter decided to help us anyway. An hour later, the women handed my mom a mirror and everything changed. She was a new woman; there was a glow in her face and a sparkle in her eye that we had not seen since before her diagnosis. Throughout her entire sickness we never saw her look this happy. At this moment her whole demeanor changed, she was happy, confident and full of energy. With this newfound energy, we decided to give the weekend one more try and go out to a nice dinner. The weekend that had started out miserable had finally changed. For that one night we had forgotten about her sickness and were all happy. We left that night with a little bit of hope and a feeling that everything was going to be OK. This was the last time the five of us would ever spend together, but it is a night that I will never forget.

Now, for some fun facts about Robin…

While living in Atlanta, she was a kickboxing instructor. 

Robin describes herself as enthusiastic!

Robin is a Brand Manager, Experienced-Based Marketing and currently resides in Chicago's River North neighborhood. She went to the University of Arizona and is originally from Birmingham, AL.

Meet Edie Lisk, Secretary

Meet Edie Lisk, YPB Secretary 

Meet Edie Lisk, Secretary of the Young Professionals Board. In this position, Edie does a fantastic job of taking meeting minutes and distributing them to the YPB and also keeping the YPB on task with their duties. 

Edie's heart is purple for her mom, Karma Lisk. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on her 58th birthday and passed away 16 days later. "I was fortunate to be by her side during her short battle; although, it was the hardest time of my life to see her go through the extreme pain and suffering. Her battle was too fast. I am passionate about working for early detection in hopes that no one else has to lose a loved one to this awful disease." Edie's favorite memory of her mom is of her smiling and laughing with her family.

Now, for some fun facts about Edie…

Edie's favorite quote is "Everything happens for a reason."

As a child, her dream job was to be a Dateline reporter, a zoologist or a mom. Her career has played out slightly different. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Psychology. She spent two years in the real estate industry and is now a Program Manager in the email marketing world.

Edie currently resides in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood. Her favorite summer activity is beach volleyball and favorite winter activity is staying inside!