June 7, 2016
A crowd of more than 8,000 — in homemade team T-shirts in pink and green and glitter — bunched at the starting line for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday.
Near the back was 10-year-old Ellie White and her team of supporters waiting to begin their annual ritual of singing “Happy Birthday.” [...]
May 6, 2014
Families who want to have a baby, but are fearful of passing on a genetic disorder, now have more options. A controversial test called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis allows parents going through in vitro fertilization to select embryos that do not carry certain gene mutations.
With advancements in the last few years, PGD can now test for dozens of disorders.
Beth White, of Golden, decided to go through the testing. Her first child, Ellie, was born with a rare genetic disorder called Wolfram Syndrome. [...]
March 19, 2014
Downtown Wilmington’s Manna restaurant is once again attracting top chefs from beyond the Cape Fear region. This time, it’s Public Television series star chef Vivian Howard of Chef & The Farmer restaurant in Kinston.
Each year since 2012, Manna owner Billy Mellon has invited chefs to participate in a benefit to aid the Ellie White Foundation for Rare Genetic Disorders. The organization works to find cures for Wolfram syndrome and other diseases that receive little or no federal or private funding. [...]
October 5, 2012
She was the cute little girl from the dance group The Silhouettes who won our hearts on America’s Got Talent. But behind her smile is a brave little girl battling a terminal illness.
The 11-year-old from outside Denver, Colorado, has a rare genetic disorder that's stealing her eyesight and hearing. It is also expected to drastically shorten her life. [...]
July 19, 2012
Ellie White, 10, of Colorado, had recently taken her first ever surfing lesson, running into the surf and gingerly hopping on a board as she savors life before a rare, incurable disease robs her of her sight and hearing. [...]
July 6, 2012
Three years ago a little girl with the world at her feet was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease with no cure. Now 10-year-old Ellie White hopes to build awareness and help others. [...]
July 5, 2012
For the past two weeks, Wilmington has played host to a special guest. She’s only 10 years old, but is determined to make the most of her trip from Colorado. She has seen the beach and gone to a local play like many tourists might do. But she’s no ordinary visitor.
Her name is Ellie White, and she has a rare genetic disorder called Wolfram syndrome. [...]
July 3, 2012
Seeing a happy, little girl flit around and dance like not a care in the world affects her may seem normal. The innocence of youth, the hope for a bright future: It’s all evident in Ellie White’s performance with The Silhouettes on “America’s Got Talent.” In September of 2011, Ellie and her team performed for Sharon White, Piers Morgan and Howie Mandel, placing fourth second in the competition. By the looks of it, one wouldn’t assume this precious child endures a life-threatening disease. [...]