On average, pediatric patients use 1,800 units of blood daily across the United States. Six-year-old Ellora was one of those patients.
Ellora was diagnosed with a stage 3 Wilms Tumor in August of 2023. A Wilms tumor is a rare kidney cancer that affects mainly children.
Ellora’s aunt Alyssa Sullivan tells RIBC that before and during her cancer battle, she has always been the “sassy, funny dramatic” little girl the family loves. When she is not undergoing cancer treatment, Ellora is busy being a big sister to her two younger brothers. However, she will be the first to tell you they sometimes annoy her with their brotherly antics. She also loves playing with dolls or going to her dance class. She does it all!
It is thanks to blood donors that Ellora has been able to undergo cancer treatment. She needed two pints of blood while undergoing surgery to remove the tumor, which involved removing her entire kidney, a piece of colon and her appendix. Blood donors would come to her aid once again the day following surgery as Ellora needed to undergo a blood transfusion.
“We never thought our little queen would be in the position to need blood at this age but the selfless people who donated saved her life.”
Alyssa tells us that Ellora is healing well from the surgery. She still has several months of treatment ahead of her but they are confident she will do well.
“She has been SO BRAVE and strong and resilient. We are so proud of her.”
Alyssa tells RIBC they are hoping that by sharing Ellora’s story, it will inspire others to donate to help “future little queens” who may be in need.
Donating blood takes less than an hour of your time and you will help save up to three lives. Your donation will help Rhode Island Blood Center in our mission to help patients like Ellora. To book your appointment, visit us online or all 401-453-8383.