Greenwich, Connecticut, sits far from the typical startup hubs, yet two rising seniors there have turned their own encounters with serious illness into a focused digital tool. Brynn Forlizzi and Teddy Aaron founded Soothe Note after living through the daily demands of cancer treatment from different vantage points. Their app aims to give patients and families clearer records when they meet with doctors.
Personal Histories Shape the Project
Forlizzi faced ovarian cancer twice during high school, first as a freshman at age 15 and again in her junior year following a year and a half in remission. She is now eight months into remission and has spoken about the relief of regaining her health. Aaron, who serves as the app’s founder and chief executive, drew from years of supporting a family member diagnosed when he was eight. The pair met as friends and recognized a shared frustration with the fragmented way medical information often moves between appointments. Forlizzi noted that she depended on her parents to track medications and symptoms at an age when many peers were gaining independence. She has described how direct input of her own data would have eased that burden considerably.
Building a Companion for Daily Management
Soothe Note functions as a straightforward log for symptoms, medications, moods, meals, and questions that arise between visits. The entries compile into concise reports that patients or caregivers can share with medical teams. The design reflects the practical gaps the founders observed rather than broad theoretical features. Development moved from idea to launch within 2026, a timeline that placed the product in users’ hands while both creators were still completing high school. Early feedback has centered on the value of having organized information ready at each appointment. The approach keeps the focus on continuity of care instead of adding complexity to already demanding routines.
Recognition Arrives Early
Federal acknowledgment came soon after the launch when President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sent a letter praising the effort. Aaron has said the message strengthened his resolve to expand the project and reach more families facing similar challenges. Such notice at this stage underscores how personal initiative can intersect with broader public interest in patient support tools. The story also highlights the role of peer networks in high school, where shared experiences can accelerate problem solving. Forlizzi and Aaron’s collaboration shows how two individuals with complementary perspectives – one as a patient and one as a caregiver – can identify needs that established systems sometimes overlook.
Looking Ahead for Patients and Developers
The app’s early traction suggests a demand for simple, patient-controlled records that travel with the user rather than remaining siloed in different offices. As the founders continue their senior year, the project offers a concrete example of how lived experience can translate into usable resources for others. Continued refinement will likely depend on input from additional patients and clinicians who test the reports in real settings. Ultimately, the work stands as a reminder that meaningful improvements in care coordination can begin with direct observation rather than large institutional programs. Families navigating treatment now have one more option for keeping details organized and accessible when they matter most.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.