MINNEAPOLIS — A affected person at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital is elevating funds and consciousness for a program that comforted her throughout life-saving surgical procedure and restoration.
Thirteen-year-old Ellie Bekkerus introduced workers on the hospital Monday with a test from her fundraising efforts in honor of the hospital canine who supported her.
“You guys have completed a lot for me and so I wished to do one thing for you guys,” Ellie mentioned.
It was a heartfelt, give-back second, and a heartwarming reunion. Her go to today was as a donor and never a affected person.
“I had coronary heart surgical procedure on the hospital again right here in April. And I’ve dogs at home that I used to be lacking, and these dogs have completed a lot,” Ellie mentioned.
She has a uncommon chromosomal dysfunction referred to as Turner syndrome. When she had coronary heart problems and needed to endure open coronary heart surgical procedure in April, she shaped an unbreakable bond with Fern.
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“Even earlier than surgical procedure she was actually nervous and she or he simply saved saying, ‘I need to see the canine. As quickly as I get out, I obtained to see this canine,'” mentioned mother Kaylie Bekkerus.
When she got here out of the ICU, Fern was there.
“Ellie was nonetheless actually sick at the moment and was having a troublesome time holding something down. But as quickly as she noticed her, she lit up. The canine jumped proper up in mattress together with her and snuggled proper in and it was like that they had recognized one another their entire life,” Kaylie mentioned.
As she gained energy following a profitable surgical procedure, Ellie walked Fern across the hospital unit. Her love of the pooches within the facility canine program led to a bond with Minnesota Gopher defensive again Coleman Bryson.
“Coleman was additionally right here after I had surgical procedure. He was doing a bingo with the dogs and I had gained. And so my dad and mom have been attempting to get me to return off the bed they usually have been like, ‘Why do not we go down there and see if we will speak to the gamers afterward,'” Ellie mentioned.
The two share a love of soccer as Ellie performs on her center faculty crew.
“I play defensive sort out,” she mentioned.
Her resilience and spirit impress Coleman.
“No matter what she’s coping with you would not be capable of inform I do not suppose, and the way in which she goes about life and simply bringing pleasure into different folks’s lives, I believe is one thing that is so particular,” Coleman mentioned.
That pleasure is obvious when Ellie comes again to the hospital.
“When Ellie is available in for her follow-up visits in clinic, we’ll meet her within the foyer area. Ellie is actually good at partaking in Fern’s cues and instructions,” mentioned Phylicia Petit, licensed baby life specialist and handler at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital.
In October, Fern and Phylicia accompanied Ellie and her household as she was honored as a Goldy’s Hero at a Gophers sport.
“I obtained teary-eyed. That day in itself was so emotional,” Kaylie mentioned.
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On the way in which home from that have, Ellie’s fundraiser was born.
“It was referred to as ‘Dogs for Dogs.’ It was at our native highschool. We had scorching dogs and puppy chow and another stuff. Then we had a silent public sale,” Ellie mentioned.
Her efforts in her hometown of Twin Valley raised $1,200 for the ability canine program at Masonic, which presently has three dogs who have been raised and educated by Can Do Canines, the most important supplier of help dogs in Minnesota.
While that money could possibly be used to coach extra dogs to consolation sufferers like her, Ellie desires a few of it earmarked for her good friend.
“Hopefully Fern will be capable of get a whole lot of toys,” Ellie mentioned.
The facility canine program at Masonic Children’s launched in 2019.
Along with enjoying soccer like her good friend Coleman, Ellie additionally performs softball and basketball.
She’s planning on making her “Dogs for Dogs” fundraiser an annual custom.
