Redate Dagnachew Elala

Redate Elala (Miti), passed away on Saturday, June 11/2011, with her family by her side at the Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after losing a two year long battle against breast cancer. She left behind a grieving mother Gerawork Aklilu, father Dagnachew Elala, older sisters Beza, Asteway and Wegene, younger brother Beakal along with several relatives and friends. Redate was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She moved to the United States in 1996, and finished high school at Washburn High in 2000. She received her bachelor's degree in Community Health with a minor in Food & Nutrition from the Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2006. She joined WIC (Women, Infants & Children) at the Ramsey County

Department of Health, and worked as as nutrition counselor in 2007 until she left about seven months ago because of her

deteriorating health. Redate was a loving person who loved people as well as life. She enjoyed music, cooking, traveling and having just a good time with her friends and family. She was kind, strong-willed and courageous; she never lost her will or demeanor as she fought the cancer for her life to the very last day. Her dying wish was for her family to continue to support the

disadvantaged kids she used to help raise in her native Ethiopia. Also, she wished to bring awareness to cancer and expressed her hope that people would attend the Susan Komen for the (breast cancer) Cure Walk or similar events. She planned to further her education in public health and serve underprivileged communities. She had many other life goals and a bright future ahead of her. But, fate wasn't on her side, and her life was cut short. She would have turned 30 on September 14th , 2011. She will be cherished and remembered for her strong, courageous, fighting and kind spirit as she continues to live in the memory of those who survived her.