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“TEAM EROCK”
Why our world is orange…
The idea for the “TEAM EROCK” slogan came to Ellen’s sisters, Deanna and Mary, for two reasons: they know how much Ellen enjoys referring to herself as “E-Rock,” and they felt it was important for Ellen to know that as she battles leukemia, she has a team of supporters alongside her—praying, loving, and encouraging her…all the way to the finish line!
TEAM EROCK also reflects Ellen’s lifelong love of sports—as a coach, an athlete, a spectator, and a sports network coordinator. She lives and breathes team philosophy and has always believed that you have to work as a team to get the job done.
Vital team members include the extraordinary oncology nurses at St. Luke’s in Milwaukee & Aurora in Kenosha, who love Ellen as much as she loves them. Her cure team roster is led by oncologist/hematologists, Dr. Malik Bandealy, Dr. Rubina Qamar, Dr. Thomas & Michelle Huven, PA-C; gastroenterologist, Dr. Nalini Guda; nephrologist, Dr. Ahmed Mehdi Malik; ob-gyn, Dr. Evan Saunders; and family physician & Ellen’s brother, Jim.
Our “uniform” of orange t-shirts, bracelets, accessories, and even hair (yes, niece Annie spray-painted her head orange to show support) signifies the official color of the fight against leukemia and lymphoma. Since the day of Ellen’s diagnosis, orange has colored our world.
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Over the years, Ellen has worn many “hats”… daughter, granddaughter, sister, godmother, aunt, niece, friend, coach, teammate, player, teacher, student, employee, computer geek, and party host. We look forward to the day Ellen wears the hat that says “survivor.”
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This website, designed by Ellen’s brother Michael, is meant to connect “Coach Ellen” with her “teammates.” Please feel free to read the entries about her journey back to wellness, and in return, she’d love to read your messages of love and support. And since laughter is the best medicine, and Ellen prides herself on making other people laugh, humorous postings are encouraged.
We’d like to express a special thanks to Jen (Fani) Portilia and Brian Portilia, close friends of Ellen’s and the entire Santarelli family, for their creativity and expertise… Jen designed the graphic images that appear on this website and TEAM EROCK clothing, and Brian envisioned the tagline, “ALL in it for Ellen,” to incorporate her subtype of leukemia, known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Ellen and the Santarelli family would also like to thank everyone for the heartwarming cards, gifts, emails, and texts. Your support is overwhelming, but at the same time, provides great comfort and reassurance. From the deepest places in our hearts, we thank you…
Go TEAM EROCK!
“The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.”
- Vince Lombardi
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