Stella

Project Stella is named for Stella Novotny, an unforgettable little girl who lost her life to AML-RAM when she was just four years old. Stella had many exploratory treatments and a first-in-human immunotherapy trial, until her tiny body could not fight any longer. She lost her battle in November 2017, just 3 weeks after her 4th birthday. Stella’s parents, Casey and Jed, launched Project Stella to help change the outcome for other children and families facing AML. Their courage and vision are responsible for this life saving project. We owe them so much.

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Aspen

~Written by Troy and Ashley Peck

Since relapsing in January of 2022, Aspen has done remarkably well. She periodically received donor lymphocyte infusions and STRO02 and has remained in remission! In the fall of 2023 Aspen even rang the ‘end of treatment’ bell at her local hospital and was paraded home, cheered on by much of her town! Throughout her treatment, she remained healthy and strong, and most importantly, outpatient.  She remains in remission and has been living her life like any toddler should- exploring outside, going to school, and making messes at every opportunity. Aspen received her last dose of STRO002 just a week prior to starting preschool. Her parents credit the work done in Project Stella to why she is alive today.

Indya

Indya endured a heartbreaking journey since her diagnosis at just 6 months old. Indya and her family exhausted every possible option for treatment- two bone marrow transplants, countless rounds of chemotherapy, STRO-002, and an NK cell trial. Indya’s parents lobbied hard for Indya to be the first child ever to receive access to ELU-001, which sparked a compassionate use access program at Elucida. Despite every pathway pursued, every therapy tried, Indya passed away in the arms of her parents on November 14, 2023. Indya was a lover of animals, of stickers, and was known for always saying ‘mas!’ Her spirit and strength were unparalleled. Indya leaves behind incredible impact but also deep pain for so many who loved her.

Emma

Emma is a friendly and lovable one year old girl who insists on waving to everyone! She was diagnosed with AML-RAM in October of 2021 when she was 9 months old following concerns of an ongoing fever and a bump on her head.

Since her diagnosis, Emma has been treated with multiple rounds of chemotherapy as well as one of the Project Stella drugs, STRO002. Emma achieved remission and received a bone marrow transplant on April 6 2022. Sadly, her cancer cells returned within just a few months of her transplant and she began again on the road to remission. Gratefully she achieved remission and had a second bone marrow transplant in October of 2022, with her mother as her donor. She remains in remission today.

Sophia

Sophia is a feisty and funny two year old girl who was diagnosed with AML-RAM in November of 2021. Since her diagnosis, Sophia’s treatment course has been long with many hurdles. After not responding to standard chemotherapy, one dose of STRO002 brought her disease burden from 95% to 0.25%! A few more doses brought her to remission and she received her bone marrow transplant on April 29, 2022. Sadly her cancer returned within a few months of her transplant. Like Aspen, Sophia had been receiving donor lymphocyte infusions paired with STRO02, but sadly relapsed again in late 2023. She and her family are looking into clinical trial options and evaluating next steps for her continued treatment.