Miracles happen when you least expect them.

In Chelsea Ellis' case, her mother, Cindy Marino, believes that's what kept her daughter alive on that fateful April 15th day.

What You Need To Know


  • Chelsea Ellis was injured by a Buffalo Police Department SUV on Main St. and Benwood Ave. back on April 15
  • Police say a BPD SUV hit another car and collided with two people walking on the sidewalk. Chelsea Ellis was one of them
  • Insurance won't pay Ellis' $515,000 medical costs
  • Family started a GoFundMe to help. They haven't reached their goal just yet

“I just had a lot of faith that her journey was not done. My instincts were, despite the CPR twice or three times ... despite everything that was happening, I knew that she was going to live," said Marino.

According to police, it was on Main Street and Benwood Avenue where a Buffalo Police SUV hit another car and collided with two people walking on the sidewalk — Chelsea Ellis was one of them, and she's been in the hospital ever since.

“She flew a very large distance when she was hit by the SUV. Flew up in the air," remembered Marino.

Ellis was critically injured.

The most serious injuries to her cervical spinal cord have put her in a quadriplegic state.

"She's dependent at least at this point on a ventilator because of the injuries," Marino added.

But Ellis is a fighter. She's gone through numerous treatments.

Since the incident, she's been at hospitals in Buffalo, Cleveland, and for the past three weeks Craig Hospital in Colorado, which specializes in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

“There's very few spinal cord rehab facilities in the country that accept patients who are on ventilators and have a spinal cord injury," said Brandon Ellis, Chelsea's older brother.

Unfortunately, Ellis' insurance does not cover her treatment in Colorado. It didn't cover the air ambulance to fly to Craig Hospital either. Brandon Ellis says medical costs are around $515,000 out of pocket.

“When you're in the middle of a decision like that, with a young person, the cost is secondary, I think to what you feel like you have to do, to give her the best quality of life moving forward," he explained.

And with that, Brandon Ellis and his family created a GoFundMe page.

“People have been incredibly generous with their prayers and monetary donations," said Linda Jackson, Chelsea's aunt.

Though they haven't completely reached their monetary goal, Jackson says their faith has not wavered. Besides, they have a lot to be thankful for: Chelsea Ellis' 30th birthday, a new wheelchair that can be driven with Ellis' eyes, Ellis learning to swallow again, and being able to connect virtually.

"We would FaceTime her and sing praise songs to her. She would end up mouthing the words to the songs," said Jackson.

It's safe to say that Chelsea Ellis is loved. There are more chapters ready to be filled in her life story.

“God's not done with her yet. We all know that,” says Marino. “And I think He has some very special plans for the rest of her life.”