This week on Spotlight On Maryland, Gina Crash spoke with Ella Edwards, Founder of the Ella Strong Foundation, about her non-profit's mission to directly support research for improved treatment and cures for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Ella was diagnosed on her 9th birthday on April 28, 2017 with a rare pediatric bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma. In 2018, she was declared NED, (no evidence of disease). Her journey is inspiring and best told in her own words. Click the audio player below to listen to the interview with Ella and her Dad Brian Edwards who joined her in studio.
Since 2017, the Ella Strong Foundation has raised over $60K in donations made to pediatric cancer research grants. Main recipients include to Alex's Lemonade Stand toward a grant for Ella's Oncologist at Johns Hopkins for solid tumor research, Forever Fierce Foundation and Children's National research for solid tumors for Ella's current Oncologist. Other organizations supported include Just in Power Kids, Believe in Tomorrow, Check 6 Foundation, Make a Wish, Ari's Bears and many others.
Donations are made possible from the Foundation's annual fundraising events like their Annual Christmas Toy Drive that has collected over 2,000 new toys delivered to John's Hopkins' oncology floor, Children's National's oncology floor, Anne Arundel County Medical Center Pediatric ER, Believe in Tomorrow Respite Housing and Ronald McDonald House.
The Ella Strong Foundation's Virtual 5K is coming up in March. Find out more on their website ellastrong.org and on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Ella was named Anne Arundel Young Philanthropist of the Year 2022 by Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County and was the recipient of Just in Power Kids grant 2022. The sky's the limit in 2023 with your support!
