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Elliott Ortega stands next to a fire hydrant painted like the Incredible Hulk, Elliott's favorite superhero.

Hulkster’s ‘fight is over’
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: April 25, 2019

A Valley Center elementary school student who has battled cancer nearly his entire young life and had became the focus of community outreach and support for at least the past five years died April 18.

Elliott Ortega, a student at Wheatland Elementary, who was lovingly nicknamed the Hulkster, partly after his favorite superhero but mostly for his courageous spirit, was 8 years old.

"The fight is over," Elliott's family announced on Facebook.

He is the son of Ray and Jessica Ortega.

"His sole job was to be strong," Ray Ortega said. "That's all he ever knew to be was strong. He loved to hang out and be around friends. He loved to go to school. He enjoyed it. Class was not his favorite, but if he could be around his bros (that's what he called them), he was happy. He wanted to be at school."

Over the past seven years, Elliott had three different forms of cancer, a liver transplant and two bone marrow transplants.

"Elliott is an amazing boy with a warrior spirit and a sweet, gentle soul," said Wheatland Principal Adelyn Soellner. "His smile lights up a room and puts everyone at ease. His main concern in school is to blend in, be a student, learn and have fun. He is a great student."

Elliott was just 1 year old when he was diagnosed with liver cancer. He underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and then a liver transplant in 2013.

He was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2015 and had a bone marrow transplant four months later.

However, another aggressive form of leukemia returned, and Elliott had a second bone marrow transplant operation.

"His determination to fight for his health is a model for all of us," Soellner said. "The mix of knocking cancer Hulk style with a huge grin on his face is the picture I carry in my heart."

Meanwhile, the community rallied around Elliott and his family. A series of fundraisers included a student bake sale, a free oil change event and a garage sale.

He was an honorary captain at high school soccer and football games, where many of the students got him gifts.

He also was the first grand marshal of a law enforcement parade in Wichita.

Recently, each member of the Valley Center High School track team wore green socks during a home track meet April 5 to honor Elliott.

"I have been so proud of the way Valley Center students have surrounded the family," Soellner said. "It is so heartwarming to watch students support each other."

A benefit run called The Hulk Dash is scheduled for May 18 in Valley Center.

This week, organizers confirmed that the event will go on as scheduled.

"It's going to be the biggest celebration of life that we can make it," said Erik Schotte, one of the event's organizers. "Elliott loved to have fun, and if the community can gather with the family to celebrate him, then that's what we're going to do. We want to rally around these wonderful people to help move forward while remembering how many lives their son has touched."

Schotte also hopes the event will help the family financially as well.

"We do know they have an extensive amount of medical debt and we would love to be able to help them out in this way," he said. "We strongly believe that the support of people around you is very important in a time of grief. We are doing this race to support the family emotionally and financially as much as we can. Valley Center is an amazing community and I know that we will show up big for the Ortegas."

A separate Go Fund Me online effort has raised more than $10,000 for the family.

"It's surreal to see a community rally around one family and one boy, just to make us feel that we're not alone," Ray Ortega said. "… Anything we needed, they helped us with."

Ray Ortega said a celebration of life service is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at First United Methodist Church in Valley Center. The service will be an informal gathering to remember Elliott, play videos of him and listen to some of his favorite songs.

"He just wanted to have get-togethers," Ray Ortega aid. "That's what we're going to do."





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