Ella Kathleen Casano
Personal Information
Born: 2006
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Currently a freshman at Stanford University with an expected graduation date of 2028
"“From the front, the patient sees a friendly stuffed animal, rather than a bag of medicine. . . Through the mesh back, the doctor or nurse can check to see how much medicine is left,” (goodgoodgood.co); “I never forgot how scary those early days of infusions were for me and I wanted to help other kids who felt like I did.” (goodgoodgood.co); “When I had my first infusion, I was surprised and a little bit intimidated by the look of the amount of tubing and medical equipment on my IV pole. As I saw more and more children experiencing the same feelings, I became more interested in creating a friendlier experience for young IV patients, so I created Medi Teddy” (awesomeinventions.com); "If you have an idea, stick with it. I would have never gotten this far with Medi Teddy or been able to impact so many people had I not continued working on my idea. Continuing on my idea involved writing up a business plan, making a marketing video and asking for tonnes of advice from my parents and others. My advice to hospital patients - we’re all in this together. You are not alone. I have learned through this project that we are so supported, by kids and adults alike." (kebloom.com); "
— Ella Kathleen Casano
Professional Life
Field of Study: Inventor
Institution/Corporation: Athletes in Medicine; Stanford University; Medi Teddy LLC
Degrees & Memberships: Member: Stanford Students in biodesign & Biopharma (2024); Athletes in Medicine (2024); Fellowship of christian Athletes (2024)
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2019 Groundbreaker for International Day of the Girl, Today; 2024 Jacky Durrell Memorial service Award; 2024 Richard E. Taber Citizenship Award Scholarship; 2024 MVP Award, Saugatuck Rowing & Fitness Club; 2023 4th Place USA Women's U19 8+, U19 world Rowing Championships; 2022 Gold Medal & New World's Best Time in USA Women's U19 4+, U19 World Rowing Championship; 2021 Teen Impact Award in Leadership
Achievements: 2020 invented the Medi Teddy to cover medical IV bags to alleviate the fears of young children in the hospital; Founded Medi Teddy Inc a nonprofit that provides Medi Teddy IV Bag Covers to pediatric infusion patients at no cost to the patient
diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) & required IV transfusions every 6-8 weeks
ITP is an autoimmune disorder that makes her body destroy its own platelets
her fear of needles & all the IV equipment inspired her to invent the Medi Teddy
Medi Teddy has been awarded nonprofit status by the IRS enabling them to accept donations & provide Medi Teddy's to hospitals & pediatric patients for free
is a world champion rower
started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $5000 to pay for the 1st run of 500 Medi Teddys & raised more than $20,000 in a week
was coxswain & represented the United States in the U19 Women's 4+ and U19 Women's 8+ at the U19 World Championships in the summers of 2022 and 2023, respectively
Medi Teddy comes in two models: a personalized, washable “Bailey” plush with a stretchy mesh rear pouch and a silicone “Hope” bear designed for hospitals to reuse with multiple patients
enjoys fishing & singing
after 7+ years of IV therapy her ITP is in remission & she takes a daily oral medication
holds 2 patents