Let us start off by introducing ourselves! We are Team Ellavation.

Ellavation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping families affected by
Spina Bifida, in Illinois. Our goal is to help remove financial barriers and improve quality
time for families affected by Spina Bifida.

Did you Know:
• Spina Bifida is a congenital disability that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form the way they should.
It is a type of neuro tube defect that can range from mild to severe.
• Every year in the U.S. about 1,427 babies are born with Spina Bifida. According to the CDC, hospital costs for a baby born
with Spina Bifida average about $21,900 with many of those children needing more than 3 hospital stays in just the first year
of life.
• Over a lifetime, the average person with Spina Bifida will have an average of $791,900 in care giving costs. For the average
family, this is a huge financial load.

A Note From Our President and Founder of Ellavation

We Need Your Help!

Meet Ella. Ella was born at just 25 weeks with Spina Bifida. She is paralyzed from the waist down and requires
multiple medical interventions daily. Since birth she has had spine surgery, 4 abdominal surgeries, 6 brain
surgeries and has suffered from numerous complications. She has spent 1,000’s of hours in therapy and at
doctors appointments, along with months in the hospital. Ella’s medical complications are large and so are her
medical bills. In the last 3 years, we as a family have spent well over $50,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses
alone. We recently became a single income household due to the lack of childcare and have realized firsthand
how hard having a child with additional medical needs can be on the entire family unit. God surrounded Ella and
our family with a community of support over the last 3 years and because of that support, Ellavation evolved. We
want to help spread some of that love and support that we have received to other families caring for a loved one
with Spina Bifida. Ella is the reason why we are working to bridge the financial gap that is hindering families from
being able to spend quality time together. Will you join us?

We are writing to you from Ellavation to request your support for the Ellavation Adult Prom Gala, a very special event to raise money for
families who have been impacted by the financial load of caring for a loved one with Spina Bifida. Our event will be held on March 9, 2024. We can’t make an impact alone and we need your help! We hope you will join us in supporting local families
by donating today!