It was Ella Edwards’ ninth birthday when she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer April 18, 2017.
Her family was devastated, but ready to do whatever was necessary to get the girl healthy. Ella’s parents, Jennifer and Brian Edwards, along with her aunt and uncle, Allison and Paul LaRochelle, started a “Team Ella” Facebook page to raise money for Ella’s cancer treatment. After nine months of treatments, she was finally cancer-free in January 2018.
“Team Ella” evolved into the “EllaStrong Foundation” to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research and to support the wellness of pediatric cancer patients. Under the supervision of her parents and with help from her four siblings, Ella has been an active leader at the foundation, raising funds for pediatric research with lemonade stands, photos and hot chocolate with Santa, and a virtual run 5k/10k.
As of Dec. 11, 2021, EllaStrong Foundation had raised $47,000. The funds have gone to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Forever Fierce Foundation, Children’s Hospital Foundation and Ari’s Bears. Ella has also contributed with a bandage drive for Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, for which 20,000 bandages were collected.
Source: EllaStrong: Young cancer survivor gives back to pediatric oncology patients