Two students from Lexington-Richland School District Five have gained recognition for their efforts in raising awareness about chronic illnesses.

Mary Ellen Morrison and Bella Qian, seniors at Spring Hill High, were honored with the annual Len Rodger’s Spirit Award from Good Days Effective Compassion for their commitment to this cause.  

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 129 million people in the United States are living with at least one chronic disease. In 2018, it was reported that 27% of adults in the U.S. had multiple chronic conditions.

These chronic diseases can vary from heart disease, cystic fibrosis, asthma, ALS, Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, obesity, hypertension and more, each affecting individuals in different ways.

Together, Mary Ellen and Bella created the Fighting Chronic Illness Together campaign, aiming to foster a supportive community for those facing chronic health challenges.

Mary Ellen and Bella successfully raised over $3,100 by designing and selling t-shirts, hoodies and bracelets, according to the press release. They donated these funds to Good Days, an organization that assists individuals unable to afford their medical treatments.

Mary Ellen's journey with chronic illness began during her freshman year, when she was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Marfan syndrome and long-haul COVID-19.

“As a teenager, I started to feel secluded from my friends, family, and peers because I convinced myself not only that they didn't want to understand, but that they couldn't understand what I was going through,” Mary said in the press release. “Finally, after battling in silence for long enough, I decided to start leaning on my friends and family for support. I started to realize that I didn't have to go through my life alone anymore. As I emerged from my silence all I could think about were others that felt exactly the same but didn't have a support system that could help them.”

In addition to their fundraising efforts, Mary Ellen and Bella created a podcast and an online website where individuals can find more information on chronic illnesses.

Good Days organization says they help individuals dealing with chronic illness through assistance, advocacy and awareness.

“I was honestly so overwhelmed to get this award because just knowing that our work had been recognized, meant that we had made a change,” Bella said. “At the conference, Mary Ellen and I met a lot of people that were helped by Good Days, like the Good Days 'Grandpa' who was a veteran in WW2 and dancing with a little girl who had Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the closing ceremony, was indescribable. Honored doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about this award, and I am forever grateful to Good Days for giving us this opportunity. It was one I will never forget, and I can only hope that I can live up to Len Rodger's legacy."

Bella and Mary Ellen said they are both grateful for Good Days for giving them the recognition but also what the organization does to help others with chronic illnesses.