Lemont Rallies Around Teen Battling Brain Tumor

LEMONT, IL — The Lemont community has come together selling bracelets, hanging ribbons, and raising money for 14-year-old Ellie Cuiching, a freshman at Lemont High School who has been battling an aggressive brain tumor since she was 6 years old. Ellie is recovering from her fourth brain surgery on Jan. 22, where doctors tried to remove as much tumor as possible.

Ellie's aunt, Kelli Shoup, has created a GoFundMe for the family to help with medical bills. Ellie's mom, Kyle also has health issues and must pay for medications.

"I am setting up this GoFundMe page to help my sister and her family as they will have unsurmountable medical bills behind them and ahead of them," Shoup shared on the GoFundMe.

Currently, Ellie is recovering from her surgery and learning to eat, drink, walk and regain function. The family is almost certain Ellie will be going through radiation and chemotherapy, but are waiting for genetic testing on her tumor to come back.

Ellie continues to work with occupational therapy, speech therapy, ophthalmology and audiology, as her recent brain surgery impacted her hearing and vision and caused facial paralysis, her mom said.

As of Feb. 21, a total of $47,292 of a $69,000 goal had been raised for the Cuiching family.

Ellie thanked everyone who is supporting her.

"I am surprised so many people and even people I don’t know are supporting me. I love the support. It makes me feel stronger."

Ellie's mom, Kyle, said, "It is by far the most incredible feeling in the world. It warms my heart knowing that I am part of a community that cares so much. There is no better town than Lemont. The people, businesses and community are all one of a kind with the largest hearts."

She added that she never dreamed it would blow up to this much love and support.

Ellie's favorite color is green, and Lemont is covered with green ribbons in support of Ellie. Family friend April Rita created green bracelets to support her as well.

"[Ellie] needs her story out there, her family needs financial help for the bills that will start to come and they need to feel Lemont do what it does best and wrap its arms around whoever is in need," Rita said.

Rita said she first ordered 5,000 bracelets before she was contacted by Lemont private schools and multiple local businesses. She sold out in days and had a waiting list of nearly 11,000.

Now the bracelets have expanded outside of Lemont.

"It's trickling across the country and even the world. She is an awesome and inspiring little lady and everyone wants to be a part of her movement," Rita said.

#Elliestrong bracelets are available for purchase at businesses around Lemont, including:

• Fork & Spoon Restaurant, 1264 State St.
• Gelsosomo's Pizza, 206 Main St.
• Digs On Canal, 316 Canal St.
• Illinois Bar & Grill, 1131 State St.
• Jimbo's Pizza, 12257 Walker Road
• Main Inn, 302 Main St.
• Mama D's, 12420 Archer Ave.
• Nancy's Pizza, 1240 State St.
• Nicks Tavern, 221 Main St. Nicks Tavern is also donating $1 for every burger sold on Sundays in February and March.
• Tap House Grill, 1243 State St.
• 3 Corners, 12371 S. Derby Road
• Allegro Music and Dance Academy, 315 Canal St.
• ATA Karate for Kids, 1419 55th St., Countryside; 7516 Cass Ave., Darien; 2018 Ridge Road, Homewood
• Beach For Dogs, 1256 State St.
• ATI, 1212 State St.
• State Street Dental, 1011 State St.
• Christine Wilczek Bacza and Jason Bacza Brokers, 15400 127th St.
• Crossfit Lemont, 12301 New Ave., Unit B and C
• Lemont Natural Healthcare, 1192 Walter St., Suite C
• NuLook Carwash, 1388 State St.
• Simply Yoga, 1243 State St., Suite 105
• Sports Clips, 429 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard
• State Farm, 160 E. Wend St.

The bracelets are $2 and all proceeds go to Ellie and the Cuiching family.

Read more about Ellie's recovery on her mom's blog.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.