On a typical spring day, Ella Wickenheiser went to her regularly scheduled dental appointment. However, her dental hygienist noticed an unusual mark inside Ella’s mouth, and that is when everything changed. A couple of months later, Ella underwent surgery to have this mark removed, but the very next day, the phone rang with news no parent wanted to hear.
“The biopsy showed malignant cancer; one so rare that the ENT [Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor] had never seen it before in a child,” the doctor said.
Ella was diagnosed with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
From that moment on, Ella and her family’s lives transformed. Days that were supposed to be full of activities, birthday parties, and vacations were now filled with appointments, procedures, and the problems that go along with childhood cancer that no child should face.
Ella’s cancer was removed at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where a team of doctors successfully removed the cancer and part of her tongue. Cancer made daily life hard. Ella missed gymnastics camps and practices, couldn’t eat solid food for weeks, and struggled with routines and movement.
Ella’s care continued with post-surgery doctor appointments to monitor the cancer. She continued to attend oncology appointments and MRI scans, facing uncertainty each time. Each appointment brought anxiety and a reminder that cancer is a part of Ella’s story, but she never let this reminder define her.
“Through it all, Ella showed incredible strength. She learned how to be brave when she shouldn’t have had to. She learned patience, resilience, and courage far beyond her years,” Ella’s mom says.
Although Ella’s life has been filled with anxiety and uncertainty, she continues to show perseverance. Since her treatment, Ella has continued her gymnastics and wrestling journey. She shows strength in and out of these competitions and is an incredible example of never giving up on your passions.
Ella shows strength every time she receives an IV for her scans. She shows strength every time she competes in gymnastics and wrestling, and coming up this year will show strength when competing for her high school girls’ wrestling team. She shows strength every time she shares her story with the world.
“She has shown us that strength isn’t just about getting through the hardest moments. It’s about getting back up, trying again, stepping outside your comfort zone, and continuing to live your life with courage,” Ella’s mom says.
Ella is currently paired with Phi Epsilon Kappa and spent time with them at the THON™ Football game. She also performed “Let It Grow” at the THON Weekend Talent show last year and is already preparing her act for THON 2027!
THON and Four Diamonds are excited to honor Ella as she exemplifies the Diamond of Strength. She is strong for not letting cancer define her story, for always getting back up when she gets knocked down, and for conquering whatever she sets her mind to. Ella is an incredible inspiration because of the strength she exemplified at a young age. She provides an amazing example to all of us that you can fight through hard things with kindness, determination, and resiliency.
Ella’s journey is not over, but because of THON, she is not on this journey alone. THON has been able to provide financial and emotional support for Ella, which allows her family to focus on supporting her. THON raises money for Four Diamond children like Ella and has been able to provide fun experiences for her at Teen THON events.
Never forget the strength that Ella and her family have shown, and why we fight for a cure, For The Kids®.
THON™ is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital because of supporters like you. Your generosity creates moments of joy for Four Diamonds children and families and empowers our volunteers through year-round events, fundraisers and THON Weekend.
