Community rallies for Ellie

Members of the community will gather from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the Aledo United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in support of Ellie Duncan to fundraise through raffles and a game of mahjong. Ellie is a seven-year-old, fun, sweet, outgoing, strong, and vibrant child, according to her aunt and local resident Claire Duncan. 

In May of 2026, Ellie was diagnosed with group 4 medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor originating at the base of the brain in the cerebellum. 

Ellie had surgery to remove the “lemon-sized” tumor, but there were two small tumors that they could not get, so she began an eight-week aggressive treatment plan of radiation and chemotherapy and is currently in her last week. “I do know that with the treatment that she’s going through, the tumors that were left have responded well, and they have stopped growing,” said Duncan.  

Ellie gets to go home next week for a four-week break before resuming a six-month chemotherapy treatment plan. “We’re just really happy that she’ll get to go home and have fun,” said Duncan. 

“She’s just really fighting, and I know that she’s just so strong… She does it without complaints,” said Duncan. 

Through Ellie’s continuous treatment and recovery, Duncan wants to provide support in any way she can for Ellie and her parents, Scott Duncan and Alissa Lott. All money raised at Mahj 4 Ellie will go directly toward supporting Ellie’s fight. 

Community members such as “Mahjin Mamas,” Bekah Cotten and Hannah Doty, and Misty Popejoy have shown great support for Ellie by helping Duncan bring this event to life. 

Duncan’s goal is to “fill the room,” with the community there in support of Ellie and her family. 

The fundraiser will host up to 80 people for an afternoon of playing mahjong and a chance at winning raffle giveaways. Prizes have been made possible through donations so far from Nothing Bundt Cakes, Funky Town Cheer Factory, Aledo Volleyball Club, Gough Wealth Management, Cowtown Kids Art Studio, Toni Klaven Jewelry, Mahjong Marmee (Marian Brown), Misty Popejoy, and Phoebie Rogers. 

To support Duncan’s want to support her family financially buy a seat, or learn more visit www.mahjinmamas.com/mahj4ellie