Meet Ella: From the moment she arrived, Ella has filled our hearts with love. A happy and sweet baby, just starting to learn how to figure out the world.
The Diagnosis: On November 26, 2025, just nine days after her first birthday, everything turned upside down when Ella was diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric soft tissue cancer. Ella has several tumors in her bladder and urethra.
The Treatment Journey: Ella's treatment is aggressive, requiring chemotherapy every week. In addition to chemotherapy, she will have daily radiation for six consecutive weeks, tentatively scheduled to start in the Spring. The goal is to shrink the tumors while preserving Ella's organs, and reduce the possibility of a relapse.
Ella's tiny body has already bravely faced a series of treatments -- chemotherapy, surgeries, transfusions, and hospital stays -- and every day is a new challenge for her. While Catalina and Shadesh focus on keeping Ella's spirits high, the fact of mounting expenses and lost work hours is a reality.
That's why we created this campaign: to give Ella the best possible chance at beating this disease without the added burden of financial stress. Your generosity will cover:
- Treatments and procedures not covered by insurance
- Medications not covered by insurance
- Expenses, including travel, during radiation
- Daily expenses so that Catalina and Shadesh can stay by Ella's side every step of the way
Catalina and Shadesh are appreciative of every hopeful prayer, positive wish for Ella's health, and kind word that they have received to date. Another reason that we have started this campaign is because many have asked "how else can we help?" Please know that every donation - no matter how small - brings them closer to giving Ella the future she deserves: a life full of laughter, first steps, and limitless possibility.
Please also know that, beyond any monetary donation, the best way to help is to continue the prayers and kind thoughts. Catalina and Shadesh, although heartbroken that Ella has to fight this battle, have no doubt that she will succeed and be cancer free one day. Catalina and Shadesh prayed for her after a long journey and she is a gift. She is inspiring us, teaching us how to live life - to live each day wholeheartedly, with kindness, with love, giving thanks for all that we have, and with the honest determination that there are better days to come.
On behalf of Catalina and Shadesh, and our families, thank you.
Andrea
Organizer and beneficiary
Catalina De La Hoz
Beneficiary