2021 Lift Them Up Kid of the Game Team Roster

Nine-year-old Ellie has fought and survived Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia twice! She has been in remission since 2019 and finished her second fight with cancer in July of 2021. Ellie is from Barbourville, KY, and enjoys playing soccer, reading comic books and playing games. Her favorite colors are purple and UK blue, and her favorite animal is a panda.

Eight-year-old Elliott was left with a life-threatening traumatic brain injury as well as multiple facial, cervical and femur fractures after an automobile accident caused by a distracted driver. Elliott underwent emergency surgery to reduce swelling around his brain and multiple additional procedures. After months of treatment, Elliott experienced an extraordinary recovery that has allowed him to return to school and his normal life. Elliott is from Lexington, KY, and his favorite food is cheeseburgers. Elliott’s favorite animal is an elephant, and he enjoys playing with Legos, listening to music and swimming.

Jazmine, 9, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in November of 2019. Jazmine is a trooper when it’s time to get her “juice” (IV infusion), which has kept her Crohn’s under control. A fun fact about Jazmine is that she has an uncle, Charles Jackson, that played football for UK from 1977-1982. Jazmine is from Georgetown, KY, and her favorite foods are pizza and spaghetti. Jazmine’s favorite animal is her Pomeranian, Calico, and she enjoys reading and making TikToks.

Julie suffered from chronic kidney failure at just 18 months old and since then has seen nephrology specialists at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. In August 2020, a complete stranger stepped up and donated a kidney to 9-year-old Julie, who continues to thrive. Julie’s favorite food is pumpkin pie and she loves horses and swimming.

Eleven-year-old Kaylee was born with a significant and rare congenital heart defect. She had her first heart surgery at Kentucky Children’s Hospital when she was just two months old and has since had three more surgeries. Her favorite foods are chicken & dumplings and steak. She loves to swim, play outside, do crafts and use TikTok.

Leorah was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitt Leukemia — a rapidly growing cancer consuming 70% of her bone marrow — in May 2020. After several surgeries and many rounds of chemotherapy at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, Leorah, now 7, is in remission! Her favorite animals are unicorns and mermaids, and she loves spaghetti and cupcakes.