Happy birthday Ella!

In Pennsylvania, Ella celebrated her second birthday and is Casey Cares' 950th birthday this year!

Casey Cares knows that for a critically ill child, each birthday is a special milestone celebrating life. For the children in our programs, it not only marks another year, but it also demonstrates a great achievement. Casey Cares staff and volunteers work hard to send out each of our kids a special birthday package through our Birthday Blast program - we send over 1,000 a year! This simple act of kindness delivers joy and hope to our kids who are undergoing harsh treatment.

The Road to Diagnosis 

The journey to having a secure diagnosis for a critically ill child can be anything but easy. Ella's mother Cheyenne knows this all too well. 

Cheyenne states, "Ella’s short stay turned into a 7.5 month stay at John Hopkins located in Baltimore, MD. After her repair surgery, she had a hard time being able to successfully transition to feeding by mouth. It wasn’t till, after much hesitation, that I agreed to getting the feeding tube."

She continues, "Her surgeon reached out to colleagues worldwide because she couldn’t figure out what was happening. Come to find out Ella's bowel had a kink in it and after the gtube was placed, the bowel was fixed, and we hoped that it would help with feeding. Ella started slowly showing interest in food in December around Christmas."

"By February, she was on full feeds and weaned off the pump feeding. In August of this year, the gtube decided it was time to go and came out on its own. I was ok as I had a plan with her surgeon and her GI doctor," Cheyenne concludes.

Ella is diagnosed with a cogenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Casey Cares Foundation

Ella joined Casey Cares in May 2022 and already has enjoyed getting yarn wigs to wear, receiving at-home Movie & PJ Night packages for the family, visiting the Baltimore Aquarium, and getting a doll. 

According to Cheyenne, "Our favorite activity was going to the Baltimore Aquarium. It was nice to be able to get out and do something as a family."

When it comes to Casey Cares, Cheyenne says that the "Best part for me is being able to know we’re not alone when it comes to having a kiddo with special needs. It’s also been a blessing when money is short and being able to make fun memories together."

All the Love to Ella

"Ella is a sassy and very loved 2-year-old. I would do it all over again for the love she shows us. It has taken a village to get where we are and we are hopeful that other families receive the awesome love Casey Cares shows," says Cheyenne.

You can support critically ill children like Ella this holiday season - click here.