THE MISSION OF THE ELLE FOUNDATION IS TO GRANT FINAL WISHES FOR CHILDREN WITH A RECURRENCE OF CANCER &
CREATE MEMORIES OF JOY FOR CHILDREN BATTLING CANCER
At the age of 10, Lauren "ELLE" Richmond was diagnosed with a very rare and tenacious chordoma tumor on her brainstem. For over five years Lauren fought numerous recurrences. Lauren knew that a recurrence is more emotionally and physically devastating than a first diagnosis. Lauren would say, “With a first diagnosis, you have a plan. You go through surgery, chemo, and radiation with the hope and faith that you are going to get better. It’s a terrible thing to go through, but there’s hope. Then all of a sudden, whether it’s a month, a year, or two years, it comes back. Now you feel…,why can’t I catch a break, what did I do wrong?”
Lauren knew that she would not live to experience the things we all take for granted and yet she never cried for herself, instead she cried because she worried about taking care of the ‘really sick’ kids. In her final days Lauren wrote, I AM UP TO YOU – and charged her parents, Laurie & Dean and older sister, Dana, with taking care of HER FINAL WISH & FOUNDATION, which Lauren defined as the "REASON FOR HER JOURNEY". WHY IS THE ELLE FOUNDATION IMPORTANT TO CHILDREN WITH A RECURRENCE OF CANCER
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WHAT MAKES THE ELLE FOUNDATION DIFFERENT FROM OTHER WISH GRANTING ORGANIZATIONS? The ELLE Foundation is the only wish granting organization whose sole mission is to grant final wishes for children with a recurrence of cancer. With time being of the essence, and no first "Wish" discounts being extended granting final wishes requires an extraordinary financial commitment, but Lauren's passion inspires us everyday
and our dedication to these deserving children is unwavering. Lauren’s mission for the ELLE FOUNDATION is to give children with a recurrence of cancer and their families a moment to forget, to laugh, to rejuvenate their spirits and create memories their hearts will treasure forever. WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE TO THE ELLE FOUNDATION? The Elle Foundation is a run on a completely volunteer basis by the Richmonds and all financial support comes from family, friends and communities touched by the journeys of Elle's Kids. Lauren continues to teach us that with love, perseverance, courage, and compassion for others you can turn a terrifying
experience into something good and make a difference in the world. And although we can not grant the one final wish every family with a child battling a recurrence of cancer wants we can be there for them. When treatment options may be coming to an end and all a child & their family NEEDS and WANTS is a moment of joy in their lives with your support the Elle Foundation can grant these final wishes. THE ELLE FOUNDATION INC. QUALIFIES FOR MANY COMPANIES’ MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS AND IS A UNITED WAY PARTICIPANT
TO MAKE A DONATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
www.ElleFoundation.org
ELLE FOUNDATION INC. (TAX ID # 26-4755717) is a 501(c)((3) tax- exempt non-profit organization.
