Her Story

When Ella isn’t at school, you’ll likely find her laughing with friends, doing Pilates, or relaxing with a Netflix show. At 17, she’s a typical high school senior—she values her friendships, loves science, and enjoys being active. But Ella also lives with life-threatening food allergies to eggs, nuts, sesame, and salmon: a single bite of the wrong food could close her throat. Managing this reality means constant vigilance—reading ingredient labels, asking questions at every meal, and carrying an EpiPen everywhere she goes. For Ella, living with allergies means always being careful and prepared. 

​

Ella has also faced the sting of carelessness and insensitivity. “Some people make comments like, ‘If I fed you sesame, you’d die,’” she shares. Jokes like these might be tossed out casually, but they cut deep and remind her of the constant risk she lives with. She hopes people understand that even a small act of carelessness can carry life-or-death consequences, and she stresses the importance of being mindful and respectful of people’s differences. 

​

Ella remembers a frightening time in Israel when she unknowingly ate something unsafe. Her face and stomach swelled until she felt like she was dying. “I should have used my EpiPen sooner, but I was scared,” she recalls. In that terrifying moment, what steadied her was not only medicine but also a friend who refused to leave her side, offering calm and steady support. That experience showed her how powerful empathy can be.

​

Ella encourages others to take simple, life-saving precautions seriously—washing their hands, checking ingredients seriously, and being aware of those around them. She dreams of becoming a doctor to support others who face medical challenges, and to inspire compassion through her journey. To Ella, empathy means caring enough to truly understand what someone else is going through and treating them with the respect and kindness they deserve.