Number of Participants: 25
Hours Donated: 3
Value of Time Served: $634
Event Amount Raised: $9,700
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Sport: Competitive Cheerleading
Date: December 7, 2019
Location:
1160 Lincoln Ave
Holbrook, NY 11741
USA
About:
Gravity Cheer is raising money and participating in this weekends walk to help find a cure for juvenile Arthritis. With over $9,000 raised and more than 25 people on her team, Ella has amazing support from her family and her extended cheer family.
this year Ella is the youth honoree
Here is Ella’s Story 💙🖤
When I was 18 months old, I stopped walking and would cry incessantly. I was unable to express my pain or communicate with my family what was wrong. After several months of visiting doctors, doing blood work and running tests, I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). I have struggled with pain and stiffness in my knees and ankles for the past 8 years. I receive weekly injections of immunosuppressant drugs which help tremendously. While I continue to have good days and bad days, I always persevere.
I decided to get involved with the Arthritis Foundation after advice from my Rheumatologist, Dr. Cherian at Stony Brook University Hospital. In 2016, I created a team and raised money for the Jingle Bell Run. I educated my school with an assembly about JIA and my daily struggles with it. I hosted another assembly in 2018 with the help of my friends and family. This year I am excited to be the Youth Honoree and for the opportunity to share my story and advocate for the Arthritis Foundation. I want people to know that even though I have a very painful and sometimes invisible disease, I do not let it slow me down or stop myself from what I love to do. I have a positive outlook on life and a strength that is beyond my years. Since being diagnosed I have participated in dance, karate, gymnastics, lacrosse, flag football and cheer. I am on two all-star Gravity Cheer teams and compete across the country.
I am raising money for the Arthritis Foundation in hopes that one day they can help find a cure for this debilitating disease!