LEXINGTON, Ky. — Ella Ferris remembers the day a nurse made her feel like a person instead of a diagnosis. It was during her battle with a brain tumor at 14, and the compassion she received would reshape her entire future.

Now, as a University of Kentucky nursing student and member of DanceBlue's Family Relations Committee, Ferris brings a deeply personal connection to the organization's mission, volunteering weekly at the UK Golisano Children's DanceBlue Hematology-Oncology Clinic, according to a University of Kentucky News article.

Ferris was diagnosed in July 2020 with a tectal plate glioma, a benign but inoperable brain tumor located on her brainstem. The tumor blocked cerebrospinal fluid flow, causing severe hydrocephalus. Doctors performed an endoscopic third ventriculostomy to create a new drainage pathway, focusing on symptom management rather than removal.

The tumor continues to grow slowly, but Ferris reached five years after surgery without requiring chemotherapy or radiation last summer. She now undergoes regular MRI scans approximately every nine months to monitor the growth, allowing her to maintain an active college life.

Ferris' journey from patient to advocate reflects her transformation through DanceBlue, a student-run philanthropy that has raised over $25 million to support pediatric cancer patients and research. The organization honors Jarrett Mynear's final request to help improve the pediatric oncology clinic at UK.

"I want people to know me for who I am, not for my cancer story," Ferris said in the interview. "I hope people see me as someone who leads with joy, who loves others deeply and wants people to feel safe and supported."

As a nursing student enrolled in the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Ferris participates in weekly hospital labs and clinical experiences. The college's traditional BSN program combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical training, emphasizing hands-on patient care.

Her involvement with DanceBlue extends beyond volunteering. Ferris first encountered the organization in high school when she spoke at a mini marathon, witnessing college students' passion for children they had never met. When she arrived at UK as a freshman, she joined a DanceBlue team and attended the 24-hour marathon, which helped inspire her deeper involvement.

Ferris emphasized the importance of small moments in healthcare. "Playing a game, laughing, being present — those things bring real healing," she said. "Sometimes joy is the most powerful medicine."

Her experience as a patient informs her nursing aspirations, particularly in pediatric oncology. She credits both her own treatment journey and DanceBlue volunteers with shaping her approach to compassionate care, recognizing that five minutes of intentional attention can transform a patient's experience.