Little Eleanor (Ellie) Bouchard was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at MVC Hospital in Richmond on April 23, 2008. It took two surgeries to remove the softball-size tumor. After extensive research and careful consideration, the Bouchard family agreed that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis was the best place for Ellie to receive her treatment.

On May 22nd, Ellie and her mom Colleen arrived at St. Jude's and instantly knew they had made the right decision they were in the right place to fight Ellie's cancer. Ellie bravely completed her first round of 30 radiation treatments. She has returned home to FoxFire in Moseley for a few weeks of rest and relaxation with family and friends before heading back to St. Jude to begin chemotherapy in early August. Ellie, along with her parents Steve and Colleen and her 11-year old sister Emma will all move into Target House on the St. Jude campus to help her fight her cancer. This phase of her treatment plan is scheduled to last through the end of the year.

On August 15, 2008, a Friends of Ellie fundraising social will be held in honor of the Bouchard family at Celebrations on the Reservoir in Moseley. Tickets are $125 per couple and the evening will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, live music by Kris Scott, door prizes and cash bar. Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket or making a donation of auction or door prizes can contact Mark Ogorchock with Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. at mark.apexmortgage@verizon.net.

You can read more about Ellie and follow her amazing journey by visiting http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ellie1. You can also read more about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by visiting http://www.stjude.org.