When Ellie Jacobs sat in front of her home in El Dorado South, Tuesday, April 14, she knew a surprise was on its way, but she had no idea what she was in for.

It could be heard from down the street, the blare of firetrucks and police sirens paving the way, followed by dozens of friends and family waving and cheering from their decorated cars.

All had gathered to show their love and support for Ellie, an 8-year-old leukemia patient who has been battling the life-threatening disease on-and-off for years. When she relapsed in December, her family searched desperately for a bone marrow donor—and finally found one.

“Her match is a 22-year-old male,” Yvonne Seyler, Jacobs’ grandmother said. “He has 10 out of 10 markers, which is fantastic.”

Jacobs’ will be admitted into CHOC hospital Wednesday, April 15 to undergo the bone marrow transplant next week. With such a promising match, the likelihood of a full recovery is very good.

On social media, friends and family have documented her progress under the hashtag, “#EllieJacobsthebadass,” the phrase inspired by her positive attitude and resilience.

“She’s never been ‘woe is me,'” Seyler said, “She’s a fighter.”

Michelle Brown, who organized the parade says the bond between everyone in their neighborhood is very much the stuff of family: everyone in constant communication; holidays and birthday parties all celebrated together.

“We re-did Halloween last year when Ellie got out of the hospital,” Brown said. “We got the whole neighborhood together and re-passed out candy. We had a jumper in the back, it was way more fun than our actual Halloween.”

As Ellie’s family recounted her story, fighting back tears, they said they remain grateful for the love and support they’ve received from the community.

“People that don’t even know them have been so supportive through this whole thing,” Kim Seyler, Ellie’s aunt said. “It’s amazing.”

Ellie Jacob’s bone marrow donor was found through Be the Match, a nonprofit bone marrow registry headquartered in Minneapolis. The family urges everyone to register with Be The Match.

“It could save a life,” Kim Seyler said.