In Episode 46 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Tayler Ellison. A three-time cancer survivor, Tayler shares her story of resilience and perseverance with CKc. First diagnosed at age 4, then again at 13, and for the last time at 18, Tayler has grown up with the constant threat of cancer. Now 21, she reflects on how cancer has shaped her life, and the impact of learning she has Li-Fraumeni syndrome; finding some comfort in finally understanding the “why,” while also facing the fear and uncertainty of what this newest diagnosis could mean for her future. Tayler collected each painful moment of this process in beads of courage, creating a powerful visual of all that she overcame.
Watch Tayler’s episode here: Game Over: c*ncer EP46: Tayler Ellison
1. First Diagnosis at Age 4
Taylor’s journey begins with a grade 4 glioblastoma diagnosis at just four years old. Her earliest memory, playing with Littlest Pet Shop toys in a hospital bed, captures the innocence of childhood colliding with serious illness.
2. Second Cancer Diagnosis in Middle School
At 13, she’s diagnosed again, this time after noticing numbness in her jaw. Despite a year of treatment, she continued school and finished early, a testament to her determination and resilience.
3. Third Diagnosis During College
In her first year at USF, cancer returns, forcing her to leave the typical college life behind. But, she continued taking courses during chemo and earned a 4.0 GPA, even taking a final exam while hooked up to treatment.
4. The “Beads of Courage” Visual
Taylor shares strands of beads representing her treatment journey. The black beads represent needle sticks, the white beads chemotherapy, the yellow beads hospital stays, and the rainbow beads therapies. Collecting these moments as beads becomes a powerful visual representation of the sheer volume and intensity of her fight.
5. Discovery of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (Genetic Predisposition)
Doctors eventually identify that Taylor has Li-Fraumeni syndrome (mosaic form), explaining her repeated cancers. This moment shifts her perspective from “why me?” to understanding the biological cause behind her experiences.
6. Full-Circle Moment: Working at Her Treatment Hospital
Now in remission, Taylor works as an anesthesiology technician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, the same place she was treated. She describes it as empowering to go from patient to caregiver, reclaiming that space.
7. Cancer Doesn’t End When Treatment Ends
Taylor emphasizes that pediatric cancer is often lifelong. Even in remission, there are ongoing side effects (like hearing loss and jaw reconstruction), scheduled monitoring, and a constant fear of recurrence. Her message is this: Surviving cancer doesn’t mean the journey is over; it just changes.
Why It Matters
CKc wants to help make treatment the end of pediatric cancer patients’ journey by creating options with fewer side effects. Currently, many pediatric cancer treatments are sized down to fit, not created to help. Better treatments mean fewer beads, more survivors, and less side effects. Something that is worth the fight.
If you are inspired by Tayler’s story and want to join our fight, visit cannonballkidscancer.org to learn more, donate, or get involved.
Know a survivor or advocate whose story needs to be shared? Email us at info@cannonballkidscancer.org to nominate a guest!
