Meet Our 2026 Honored Hero

Elena Macal

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Elena was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in December 2022, at just 2 ½ years-old. After feeling sick at daycare, Elena visited her normal pediatrician, who, after a series of tests, believed she might have leukemia. Elena’s parents immediately rushed her to Children's Hermann Memorial hospital, in the Houston Medical Center, where not only was her ALL diagnosis confirmed, but she was immediately classified as high risk. Elena spent 31 days in the hospital for induction, but after induction she was declared in remission! Despite this great news, Elena’s journey was far from over. In addition to frequent clinic visits for chemo infusions, labs, and checkups, Elena experienced viruses and port complications that forced her to be readmitted to the hospital. No matter what challenges Elena faced, she always found a reason to laugh and smile. Thankfully, after almost 2 ½ years, Elena was officially able to ring her bell in April 2025!!