Mason Lindley
12/10/1998-5/11/2005
Diagnosis: Lawn mower accident
Parents: Chuck and Tracey Lindley
Siblings: Lizzy

Mason Lindley was 3 years old when he was accidentally run over by a lawn mower. After several surgeries you would have never known. He really enjoyed ELONTHON and met one of his good friends, Joshua Holdner, an ELONTHON. Unfortunately, Mason passed after the 2005 Dance Marathon following complications from surgery. Mason is known on campus as one of our Miracle Angels and our first Miracle Child. The Lindleys are a permanent part of the Elon family. View Mason's memory page.

Joshua Holdner, age 11

DOB: 6/26/98
Diagnosis: Tyrosinemia Type I
Parents: Mike and Teri Holdner
Siblings: Danielle
Website: www.joshuascure.org
 

Joshua has a rare, devastating genetic metabolic disorder known as Tyrosinemia Type I. Joshua is one of approximately 100 children in the United States and the only one in the state of North Carolina to have this rare genetic disorder. Josh has an older sister named Danielle. His favorite movie is Star Wars and favorite animals are dogs and dinosaurs. He and his family have joined us for ELONTHON a number of times and he always enjoys playing ping-pong and jumping in the moon bounce.

Nick Marriam, age 16

DOB: 11/24/92
Diagnosis: Cancer survivor
Parents: Fred and Angel Marriam
Siblings: Alex

Nick is a 15 year old cancer survivor. When Nick was 6 years old, he was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma cancer. He was in and out of the hospital, having to miss 2 years of school because of treatments. After Nick was feeling better, he wanted to help other children who have to spend long amounts of time in hospitals, like he had to. In March 2001 Nick and his cousin, Shelby, founded Nickelby Project, where they assemble and deliver gift bags for children who are battling serious illnesses. Their project has won many awards and recognition, as it has helped many parents and children. Nick and his younger brother Alex are regulars at ELONTHON who have spent the entire night for two years straight. Nick’s favorite ELONTHON game is dodge ball and his favorite memory is swimming in the pool.

Jackson Payne, age 14

DOB: 11/17/95
Diagnosis: Cancer
Parents: Ann and John Payne
Siblings: Davis and Mitchell

We met the Payne family at Radiothon 2006 at Duke Children’s Hospital! They have attended ELONTHON for the past two years, sharing a slideshow about Jackson’s battle with cancer at a very young age. Jackson likes to read and play basketball. Jackson looks up to J.J. Reddick and he would love to learn to play the electric guitar. We look forward to seeing Jackson and his family at future ELONTHON events!

Leigha Martinelli, age 15
Diagnosis: Cancer
Parent: Denise and Steve Martinelli
Siblings: Dustin and Tanner

Leigha has been a member of our ELONTHON Family for a couple of years. She is an enthusiastic 12 year old middle-schooler who has battled cancer throughout her life. She has been in remission for two years. Leigha is known for bringing her friends to ELONTHON and has stayed early into the morning for the past few years. Last year, she and her friends organized a dance contest for some of the ELONTHON dancers. Leigha’s father, Steve Martinelli is one of our most memorable speakers every year, and donates his bounce castle for our event. Mr. Martinelli is an Elon Alumni as well as the founding President of Kappa Alpha Order.

Cooper Thomas, age 11

DOB: 11/30/97
Diagnosis: Born premature at Duke
Parents: Britt and Michael Thomas
Siblings: Eli

Cooper Thomas weighed just 1 pound, 3 ounces when he was born. His fathers wedding band fit up to his thigh . . . that is how small he was. Born nearly 16 weeks early, Cooper was rushed to Duke Children's intensive care nursery, where for more than five months he received the most advanced round the clock care. Cooper loves to dance and proved it to everyone, when he did the ELONTHON morale dance on stage at our last ELONTHON! He loved all the banners that students made for him, along with playing in the family room.

Caden Turley, age 5

DOB: 8/13/04

Diagnosis: Seizure Disorder
Parents: Nikki and Brian Turley
Siblings: None

The Turley Family joined us in 2006 and shared their story with the ELONTHON dancers. His parents, Brian and Nikki, both work at Elon University.

Jamie Cathell, Senior
ELON student!
Diagnosis: Cystic Fibrosis

Jaime Cathell is a senior at Elon University . She is very involved in Elon’s Campus Outreach and Phi Mu sorority. Jaime has battled with cystic fibrosis since she was young and has been a dancer at ELONTHON in the past. Jaime is studying history and is very outgoing!

London and Jordan Gleason, age 9
Diagnosis: Twin to Twin Syndrome
Parent: Joy Gleason
Siblings: None

London and Jordan Gleason are twins who had twin-to-twin syndrome in the womb. London and Jordan are in elementary school and both are ELONTHON participants in past years. The girls have enjoyed playing in the play room and meeting dancers at past ELONTHON events.

Emily  Coleman, age 13
Diagnosis:  Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Parent: Michelle Coleman
Siblings: Ellen and Elizabeth

We were fortunate to meet Emily and her mother at Duke Children’s Hospital’s Radiothon in 2006. Emily is a cheerful 11 year-old with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Although her condition is not life threatening, arthritis is a chronic condition that Emily will live with for the rest of her life. Emliy has both an older and younger sister who accompanied her on her Make a Wish Foundation trip to Walt Disney World!

Matt Cooper, age 14
Diagnosis: Brain Tumor
Parents: Dan and Wendy Cooper
Siblings:

ELONTHON executive members were fortunate enough to run into Matt and his dog, Bluenose, at Radiothon at Duke Children’s Hospital in 2006. Matt is a 12 year old California native who was diagnosed with having a brain tumor at a young age. Matt loves his guide dog and loves speaking about Duke Children’s Hospital.