Support Ella and Urgently Needed AML Research: Donate to Project Stella

About this campaign

Ella was only 14 months old when she was diagnosed with an incredibly aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and spent months in the hospital. She recently turned two and with the help and support of a miracle-working team of healthcare professionals, Ella has made great progress. However, her battle is far from over, and she needs our help.

Current treatment protocols for pediatric leukemia are incredibly harsh and ineffective. Ella has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant that replaced her entire immune system. She is now suffering from numerous side effects, including something called “graft vs host disease” which emerges when the donor’s stem cells attack the child’s body and do irreversible damage. In Ella’s case, her GI tract and lungs will never recover. Ella will deal with these and other chronic health conditions for the rest of her life.

Only 4% of federal funding goes to childhood cancer research. Moreover, less than 1% of that tiny 4% supports Acute Myeloid Leukemia studies. As a result, Ella’s form of AML carries only a 15% survival rate. Let’s do better and help change the story for Ella and other children.

Christina and Joe Siders have been working closely with Project Stella and Dr. Meshinchi, a world renowned pediatric AML expert at The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to raise much needed funds for precision medicine research. Dr. Meshinchi runs the only lab in the country that is developing cures for children facing the devastating diagnosis of high-risk AML. His research is tailored to pediatric cancers, aimed specifically at patients under 5 years old. Dr. Meshinchi’s research is focused on finding a treatment protocol that targets the cancer and does not bring the irreversible side effects. Project Stella was named for Stella Novotny, a vibrant little girl who died from AML in November 2017, just weeks after her fourth birthday. Her parents’ bravery and strength are responsible for this critical foundation. To date, Project Stella has raised nearly $500,000 toward its $2 million goal. Please help accelerate the fundraising for this essential research.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Siders’ family is hoping to raise $100,000 for Project Stella at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Let’s help them reach their goal to find a treatment for Ella and future cancer fighters!