My Nonprofit Reviews

Live Like Ellie

On July 14, 2014 Ellie Helton finished her first day of high school. The next morning she awoke with a headache and within minutes became unresponsive. After rushing her to WakeMed Raleigh, and then UNC Children’s Hospital, she eventually succumbed to complications brought on by a ruptured brain aneurysm – something we didn’t even know she had. Ellie was a good kid who loved God, her family, friends and school. Some of her favorite things included superheroes, Minions, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Pizza. She had a wonderful spirit and a personality that saw people equally. She was for all that was good. Losing Ellie has been a devastating blow to our family. However, we are determined to bring good from this situation so, hopefully, other families are spared our tragic experience.

We have been blessed with an incredible community of friends and family. They have wrapped their arms around us during this difficult time and have supported us, encouraged us and loved us. This has given us time to grieve, care for her younger sisters, Grace and Anna, and begin to move our family forward.

On October 17 of this year, we hosted the first Ellie Helton Memorial 5K & Fun Run at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC, to benefit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. We started with a goal of 150 runners and $10,000. With the support of the local business and medical communities, friends and family near and far, an army of volunteers and special guests that included Congresswoman Renee Ellmers and the Duke Blue Devil, we ended up with more than 500 runners and nearly $44,000 to go toward brain aneurysm awareness, education and The Ellie Helton Chair of Research. All because of a quirky kid with a huge heart who touched many.

What made Ellie the person she was?

• Super heroes were her kind of people. They are for all that is good and so was Ellie. She didn't like things that were unfair.
• Her mind and imagination ran non-stop. She was quirky and unique. She could be argumentative and strong-willed. There were days when those traits were the best things in the world and others where it could drive you crazy. But the crazy days were never intentional; they were just her trying to make her way in the world.
• Because she was different she never saw that in others and loved unconditionally, even when she didn't receive that in return at times. We know she is now in heaven and being loved unconditionally and is whole and happy in every way imaginable. She is accepted for who she is by all around her.
• We wore pink at her service, as did many friends, family and even strangers around the country that day to honor Ellie because that was her favorite color and vivid was her style
• When it became obvious the aneurysm was going to be too much to overcome, her doctor put it so perfectly that the 'essence of Ellie' was no longer with us. When her heart, after so much fighting over the two days, continued to beat longer than expected, the nurse described her as having a 'strong heart,' which also summed her up so well. She fought. She battled. She persevered through a lot in her life and that part of her character really revealed itself to us in the end.
• She was loved and she loved. She loved her family - especially her sisters Grace and Anna - our dog Sadie, her friends, her church and her school. She loved God and was making plans for her baptism, which is why we had her baptized in the hospital in her final hours. We wanted to honor that last, true wish of hers and send her off to God with it fulfilled.
• Ellie danced like no one was watching and sang like no one was listening. We hope her legacy is one of encouragement to always be yourself and let that shine through: eat a Reese's cup every now and then, feel like a superhero and wear pink somewhere you wouldn't expect to see it. Thank you for allowing us to share a little bit of her with you today.

Did you know?

• 1 in 50 people has an unruptured brain aneurysm – that equates to 6 million Americans
• 30,000 ruptures occur each year in the United States
• A rupture occurs every 18 minutes
• Ruptures are fatal in 40% of all cases; of those who survive, roughly 66% suffer some permanent neurological deficit
• Brain aneurysms are more likely to occur between the ages of 35-60 (so Ellie’s was unusual) and women are more likely than men to have one


Brain Aneurysm Foundation - http://www.bafound.org/