For many college freshmen, the first year is a whirlwind of classes, new faces, and late-night study sessions. But for Pedro Espada, a first-year physiology and neurobiology major at the University of Connecticut, it was also the launchpad for something much bigger than himself.
Pedro, a pre-med student, brought Project Purple to UConn by founding a campus chapter of the pancreatic cancer nonprofit. For him, this isn’t just a club – it’s a movement. He founded the club in the Spring of his freshman year and the group has hit the ground running with the start of his sophomore year.
“I want to do something bigger than myself,” Pedro says. “College students are so focused on studies and grades, but I want them to be part of something with a lasting impact.”
Interested in establishing a Project Purple club at your school? Reach out to us through our contact form.
First Steps
Project Purple’s mission – to support patients and raise funds for pancreatic cancer research – resonated with Pedro after hearing Founder and CEO Dino Verelli speak at his high school during his senior year. “I knew Dino as a basketball dad,” he recalls. “But when he shared his story and Project Purple’s mission, I knew I wanted to be a part of it to the best of my ability.”
Now, as he finishes his first year of college, Pedro has already laid the foundation for a thriving club that aims to make pancreatic cancer part of the conversation on campus. From hosting fundraising events like offering meals to organizing movie nights, Pedro wants to meet students where they are – and show them they can make a difference.
Building a Legacy
“Pancreatic cancer, and just cancer in any form, is something that touches people in some capacity, in some way,” Pedro says. “Everybody’s affected by cancer.”
And already, the stories are pouring in. One member of the club had a parent diagnosed with cancer just after their first meeting. Pedro himself has a close friend whose dad battled pancreatic cancer. These connections are a reminder of the real lives behind the mission.
“We’ve had sobering conversations during meetings where people leave realizing that there are real people attached to this organization,” he says. “There are people with real problems, people who are no longer with us, and people who look at Project Purple as a real lifeline.”
For Pedro, this is exactly the kind of community he hoped to build – one where students are not just passively for something, but actively part of it.
“You go to a big college, and everybody’s looking for something to be part of, everybody’s looking for a cause to fight for,” he says. At a university with national visibility, especially following UConn’s back-to-back basketball championships, Pedro sees an opportunity. “All eyes are on the University of Connecticut right now,” he says. “We won our third national championship. There are a lot of eyes on us, a lot of young eyes on us. I’d like to have Project Purple be part of that.”
Pedro’s not just thinking about the short term. He wants this club to last long after he graduates. He has already seen members set personal goals – some even plan to run a half or full marathon by senior year.
Why Not You? Why Not Now?
“There’s no reason not to push yourself to do something,” he says. “Everybody’s capable of doing something amazing, everybody’s capable of being part of something amazing.”
Pedro reflects on a quote from NBA star Derrick Rose: “Why can’t I be MVP?” For him, the question is personal and powerful. “Why can’t you be MVP?” he asks. “Why can’t the person that sees what I’m doing or sees what someone else is doing be inspired and become MVPs themselves?”
His mindset is simple: take the first step. “The hardest step in doing something is actually doing it. Just do it,” he says. “Getting involved is just like walking – it’s one foot in front of the other.”
If you’d like to establish a Project Purple club at your school, reach out to us through our contact form.
