We are gearing up for our 6th annual event, and we need YOUR help to make a difference in communities across the US. We were able to spread Elysa's LIGHT to 14 healthcare facilities and hundreds of families last year, and we'd be thrilled to do the same again in 2019!
The For Elysa Gala held in Kansas City, MO on October 6, 2018 raised over $10,000 to fund research by Dr. Carmen Sucharov and Dr. Shelley Miyamoto at the University of Colorado aimed at identifying novel biomarkers and targets of therapy for children with myocarditis - click here to read the proposal: sucharov_myocarditis_proposal_june_2018.docx
To learn more about the work of the For Elysa Foundation,
please view our latest highlight video by clicking on the link below:
please view our latest highlight video by clicking on the link below:
Elysa Louise Rojas
Elysa Louise Rojas is a vibrant little girl who was taken from our lives far too soon. Our healthy, engaging toddler had been ill for about 24 hours when she suddenly took a turn for the worse. We called for an ambulance, and with some insistence were transported to the ER then admitted to the pediatric ICU. Less than nine hours into medical intervention, Elysa was given medication to help her rest. As soon as the medication entered her body, her heart essentially stopped. Unknown to her medical team, Elysa’s heart had been attacked by a common virus. We learned from her autopsy that she had died of viral myocarditis.
Healthcare providers had never considered Elysa’s heart to be a cause for her illness and were shocked when her heart suddenly stopped functioning.
Her family was left heartbroken and wondering how this could happen to such a bright and healthy little girl.
This foundation is dedicated to improving Education, providing Light and promoting Research to help physicians and families prevent another tragic death like Elysa’s.
Healthcare providers had never considered Elysa’s heart to be a cause for her illness and were shocked when her heart suddenly stopped functioning.
Her family was left heartbroken and wondering how this could happen to such a bright and healthy little girl.
This foundation is dedicated to improving Education, providing Light and promoting Research to help physicians and families prevent another tragic death like Elysa’s.
The For Elysa Foundation
The 3 basic tenets of our organization are derived from Elysa's initials:
Education: improving education of healthcare providers and the community about Viral Myocarditis and other causes of pediatric sudden cardiac arrest
Light: providing light and hope to other children and families affected by pediatric cardiac conditions
Research: promoting and funding research in the field of Viral Myocarditis and enhancing diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis and related cardiac conditions
Education: improving education of healthcare providers and the community about Viral Myocarditis and other causes of pediatric sudden cardiac arrest
Light: providing light and hope to other children and families affected by pediatric cardiac conditions
Research: promoting and funding research in the field of Viral Myocarditis and enhancing diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis and related cardiac conditions
German Sferra of the ColoradoRapids.com wrote a beautiful story about our family and mission to help raise awareness of myocarditis and sudden cardiac arrest as well as provide for research and support of individuals and families affected by this condition. To read more, please click here.
