HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — At the Buster Move Fun Run at Barnette Elementary School in Huntersville earlier this week, students came together to cheer on one of their classmates: a 3rd-grader named Ella who is fighting a rare disease that's impacted her motor skills.

Ella has Vanishing White Matter Disease, according to her family's website tracking her health journey. The "A Miracle for Ella Rose" website notes that her disease is progressive, and there is currently no cure.

"Ella is continuing to make progress with all of her hard work and determination," the website notes. "She is an extremely happy 8-year-old."

One of those happy moments came at this week's fun run at her school.

As Ella crossed the finish line using her walker, her classmates cheered her name and clapped, and some

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