Dodgers Superfan Elysa Throws Out First Pitch Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Dodgers Superfan Elysa Throws Out First Pitch Jul 30, 2017 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Elysa throws out the first pitch before the July 30, 2017 Dodgers game. Yesterday, 6-year-old Cedars-Sinai leukemia patient and third-generation Dodgers fan Elysa Shapiro had the thrill of a lifetime when she not only attended her very first Dodgers game, but also got to throw out the first pitch ahead of Sunday's game. As part of Cedars-Sinai's #LittleDodgerFan Day at Dodger Stadium, Elysa was joined on the field by her parents, Howard and Nancy, and her Cedars-Sinai physicians Dr. Shivani Upadhyay and Dr. Charles Simmons. Elysa's parents describe their daughter as a Dodgers superfan. "She loves the team," said Howard. "Even when she was younger, she would do home run trots around the living room." "This is so surreal," said Nancy. "For her to be at the stadium for her very first game and throwing out the first pitch, it's incredibly amazing and wonderful that the hospital wanted to do this for us." Elysa shows Kike Hernandez and Joc Pederson to the playroom during a 2016 visit to Cedars-Sinai. Elysa was first diagnosed with leukemia last July. During her first phase of treatment, she was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai for more than a month. A day after she was admitted, Dodger Clayton Kershaw visited the hospital and spent time visiting with Elysa. She later got another surprise when Dodgers Joc Pederson and Kike Hernandez—her favorite player—stopped by for a visit. Elysa, who had refused to get out of bed, decided Kike and Joc's visit was motivation to go for a walk. With a player on each arm, Elysa joyfully led the players to her favorite spot, the playroom. "They were amazing with her," said Nancy. "She's wildly in love with Kike now; she wants him to be her big brother." On Sunday, Elysa reconnected with her Dodger friends. Joc caught her first pitch and Kike made sure to visit the Shapiros before starting in the game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also came by to say hello to the family. "This was the best day of my life!" exclaimed Elysa, while she enjoyed her first Dodger Dog. To top off the experience, Elysa got to say Vin Scully's famous words before the game started: "It's time for Dodger baseball!" Elysa, with her parents Howard and Nancy, on the field before the game at Dodger Stadium. "It was fun to see her just so excited," said Dr. Upadhyay, Elysa's pediatric oncologist. "It just shows the resilience of kids." Elysa, who loves Meghan Trainor and Taylor Swift, is getting ready to start first grade in the fall. Nancy said she's doing really well with her treatments and is looking forward to more Dodgers games in her future. Want to see more #LittleDodgerFan photos? Click here. Tags Pediatrics Leukemia Patient Stories Dodgers Children's Health Cancer Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics In Our Community Faces of Cedars-Sinai Patient Stories Los Angeles Behind the Scenes Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility