Community Can Help Ella Casten and Her Family Continue the Fight Against SMA

Ella Sabine Casten is a brave little girl.

She was born on June 10, 2010, to Lincoln Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Michael Casten and his wife, former Lincoln teacher Lindsay Casten. She has a sister and a brother, Ava and Henry, and she has a bright personality that melts the heart of anyone who meets her.

But Ella has a challenge most kids don't have. She has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 2. She was diagnosed last summer, and life has been a roller coaster of emotions and medical tests, victories and defeats, as chronicled in a blog written by her parents.

SMA causes her motor neurons to die and her muscles to atrophy. This rare genetic disease is in the same family of diseases as Lou Gehrig's Disease. There is no cure and prognoses vary widely. Ella can't walk, and she is using a motorized wheelchair to get around.

Ella has had countless medical procedures, orthotics, adaptive equipment and doctor visits with no end in sight, and the bills are growing. Fund-raisers are planned this month to help the Casten family get through this difficult time.

A fund-raiser will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Knights of Columbus, 537 S. York St., Elmhurst. The evening will include live music, snacks, an open bar and a raffle. Tickets cost $50, and checks can be made out to Suzanne Berg. Donors are asked to drop their checks off at 688 Mitchell.

On Sunday, Jan. 15, Elmhurst residents have organized a half-marathon to help the Casten family. Runners are being asked to raise $100 in sponsorships, with all of the money going to the family. Donors can sponsor a runner by offering a per-mile pledge. Anyone interested in running with Ella's Angels should contact Dawn Wheatland, d.wheatland@comcast.net, to sign up.

For more information on SMA and ways to donate towards a cure, visit the SMA Foundation or FightSMA.org .