Who We Are
Ella’s Umbrella is a nonprofit committed to keeping kids’ hearts beating.
About Us
Ella’s Story
In May of 2017, Ella Mertens passed away due to an undiagnosed genetic heart defect. In her 13 months, she touched the hearts of everyone she met. Ella’s Umbrella celebrates hope. It is a reminder that the good of having something special far outweighs the pain of losing it.
Our Mission
To fund pioneering heart research and technology, while protecting and supporting families with inspiration and resources.
Our Purpose
To keep kids’ hearts beating.
Ella’s Umbrella Overview
Get Involved!
Learn How to Help!
Find out more about how you can get involved.
Our Events
Making Memories That Matter
Our goal has always been to make the best out of the very worst. We’ve found that bringing people together for a good cause is a great way to do that. At every event we want to inspire joy, hope and connection. We know that time is precious and the memories we make together matter.
Ella’s Trivia Night Was Our Biggest Event Yet!
Event Recap
Wow. Just wow. Thanks to the generosity of our guests, sponsors, donors, and more than 40 volunteers, we raised over $30,000 to keep kids’ hearts beating. We are deeply moved by the way this community continues to show up for children and families facing heart conditions.
Funds raised will help support life-saving pediatric heart projects, including surgical planning tools through the 3D Print Lab at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, access to genetic heart screenings, and emerging technologies like IntelliStent and Ventripoint. We’re also celebrating that the XMR Suite at St. Louis Children’s Hospital is now fully funded after our 2024 gift was matched twice. Thank you for linking arms with us and trusting Ella’s Umbrella to turn your generosity into meaningful impact for kids!
Stay Connected
We know what it feels like to face the unimaginable. That’s why we’re building a community of hope and healing.
Join us and receive a free chapter from Unraveled: When Loss Changes Everything, a book for anyone navigating a path they never would have chosen.
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