Maggie Brophy Chernett

A Personal Connection To Pancreatic Cancer

Maggie was in high school when her mom, Lori Brophy, was first diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Because the cancer was detected so early, Lori was eligible for the Whipple procedure to remove the tumor. Twelve years later, when doctors found that the cancer had metastasized to the liver, Lori successfully underwent another surgery and was able to receive newer treatments that were previously unavailable. When the cancer returned for a third time, shortly after Maggie’s wedding, Lori battled the disease until she passed away at age 69, fifteen years after her initial diagnosis.

“When my mom was sick the phone calls started pouring in. And it’s a different type of conversation with someone who knows exactly what you’re going through. I didn’t have to explain myself. I didn’t have to say I was okay when I wasn’t. The people who came and supported me and my family were a big part of how we were able to get through that time.”

When Maggie relocated to Chicago to launch her career in commercial real estate in 2008, she admired the young professionals she met who were involved with nonprofit organizations as a way of giving back to the community.

It was a client meeting with Lynda Robbins, then Executive Director of Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, that led Maggie to find her opportunity to make a difference. As Maggie showed Lynda various office spaces for Rolfe’s headquarters, she learned about the Foundation. “My mother had survived a round of Pancreatic Cancer and was more than 10 years past her initial diagnosis at that time, so this was something I was passionate about,” Maggie explained. Over a series of conversations, meetings, and strategy sessions, Lynda recruited Maggie to create Rolfe’s junior board (now known as the Young Professionals Board or YPB).

 

Building The Framework For Rolfe’s Young Professionals Board

“Our initial goal for YPB was to raise awareness for Pancreatic Cancer,” Maggie noted. With the help of her sister, friends, and colleagues, Maggie planned several large events in downtown Chicago that brought young professionals together to learn more about Rolfe and its mission to provide patient and family support and resources. “We launched the YPB in March of 2009 and I’ve been around ever since,” she laughed. Maggie now serves as the Secretary of Rolfe’s Board of Directors.

“We laid the groundwork to build from and I’m so proud of all of the people who’ve carried the torch since then. It’s incredible to see that the YPB has stood the test of time.”

 

What Makes Rolfe Foundation Unique

Maggie credits Rolfe’s commitment to helping patients find hope by providing resources, care, and support for its success. “When you have something you can cling to — an action you can take, a plan — that’s the best lifeline you can have in this type of situation.”

Additionally, she acknowledges the people who have been involved with the Foundation since its inception, as well as the new members who bring fresh ideas, perspectives, and energy. “There are so many people who’ve been involved far longer than I have and they haven’t stopped. They work tirelessly towards this mission and deserve our recognition and thanks.”

“Rolfe is not a vanity project. We’re consistent. We’re caring. We’re hardworking. And the focus is always on supporting patients and families impacted by Pancreatic Cancer.”

 

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