Fifty years before Ellie was born, a revolution began in neonatal care that has preserved the physical and cognitive health of thousands of babies. In 1963, states began to test newborns for PKU, an inherited metabolic disorder that affects one in every 15,000 babies born in the United States. This change would one day protect Ellie’s quality of life.

Today, 10-year-old Ellie can be found working hard on her schoolwork, perfecting her handstand, and singing karaoke with her sisters. She celebrates life in all circumstances—her mom, Mackenzie, describes Ellie as someone who sees everything from “the sunny side.”

Watch now to learn more about PKU and to see how Ellie is flourishing despite her condition.

Ellie kisses a horse on the nose.
Ellie does a back bend in the grass.
Ellie blows out the candles on her birthday cake.
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Ellie sits at her kitchen table after her family sang the "Happy Birthday" song to her. Her cake is in front of her.A Life Worth Celebrating: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

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