My name is Ellie, and my journey with blood cancer began when I was just four years old. On December 22, 2007, I woke up with petechiae, a rash that indicates a low platelet count. My dad, who is a physician, sent me for bloodwork, and that same day, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and taken by ambulance to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). I am now 22 years old and a first-year medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). My diagnosis changed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
During treatment, my family and I were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of others. The meals, gifts, and donations we received made long hospital stays a little brighter and gave us hope during the darkest times. In 2008, we founded the Ellie Koerner Leukemia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting pediatric oncology patients and their families. Since then, we’ve raised over $150,000 to provide meals, holiday gifts, and essential items to children at CHOP and the Ronald McDonald House. Our annual Holiday Toy Drive is my favorite event; it reminds me of the joy I felt when Santa visited me in isolation on Christmas morning just three days after my diagnosis. I also participated in Penn State THON 2025, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, a 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon benefitting pediatric cancer patients at Penn State Hershey. During that weekend, I had the opportunity to share my story in a 10-minute speech before thousands of people, spreading hope and raising awareness about the impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Through the Blood Cancer United, I had the privilege of being the Honorary Hero at the Light The Night (LTN) walk in 2012. I also helped organize Pennies for Patients for elementary schools throughout South Jersey. These experiences helped me realize the power of community and how important organizations like Blood Cancer United are in bringing hope, funding, and connection to families during their most difficult times.
Recently, I had an experience that brought everything full circle. I reconnected with Dawson Nailor, another ALL survivor who underwent treatment alongside me at a local CHOP outpatient facility. After all these years, we found ourselves together again as classmates in medical school at PCOM. He recognized me during our first week of orientation, and seeing him healthy, thriving, and pursuing the same dream of becoming a physician was an incredible moment. It reminded me how far we’ve come and how precious survivorship really is. We’re both living proof of what research, treatment, and support can do.
A donation to Blood Cancer United doesn’t just fund research; it gives children and families hope. I am alive today because someone before me gave, and that generosity made my cure possible. Supporting Blood Cancer United means giving the next child, the next family, and the next survivor the chance to create their own story of strength, healing, and life after cancer.
Ellie
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
