Community Health & Wellness

Lego drive honors former Peninsula High student who died in 2023

Lego sets helped Ross Tello connect with friends and family while he was at Seattle Children’s Hospital for cancer treatment.

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Doctors diagnosed him with a rare, aggressive form of cancer in 2019, when he was a 17-year-old Peninsula High School student and athlete.

He went on to attend Washington State University, working toward a degree in communications during his treatment. Ross died in 2023 and posthumously received his degree from WSU’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.

Ross Tello loved Lego from a young age. When he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer at age 17, he spent nearly a year at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Having Lego sets helped him pass the time and stay connected with friends and family. He died in 2023, and his family started collecting Lego sets to donate to the hospital in his memory. The Ross Tello Memorial Lego Drive continues through May 29. Photo courtesy of Lucy Tello

Ross Tello Memorial Lego Drive

His family started the Ross Tello Memorial Lego Drive during his celebration of life, inviting attendees to bring Lego sets to donate to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Since then, the Ross Tello Memorial Lego Drive has collected and donated an average of 350 sets each year.

The city of Gig Harbor offers the Civic Center at 3510 Grandview St. as a drop-off location. The family hopes to collect 400 new, unopened sets this year. Donations are accepted through May 29.

The Tello family collects Lego sets to donate to Seattle Children’s Hospital each year in memory of Ross Tello. The Ross Tello Memorial Lego Drive continues through May 29. New, unopened sets can be dropped off at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St., or purchased through the Amazon wish list link  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/BNMJU1NJGBA8?ref_=wl_share
Photo courtesy of the City of Gig Harbor

Lego sets were a welcome distraction for Ross during his nearly yearlong treatment at Seattle Children’s, his sister Lucy said. He endured a surgery and long recovery, as well as many rounds of chemotherapy. The days were long, but she said he was always ready with a big smile and brought joy to everyone who entered his room.

“We spent a lot of time there, and one of the big things for my brother was building Legos with his friends,” Tello said. “It was crucial to remove his mind from what was going on and it was a good distraction.”

Sets for older age groups particularly needed

Ross Tello loved building Lego sets since he was a toddler, especially Star Wars-themed sets. While he was in the hospital, Ross and Lucy spent time together constructing sets, though she was not as expert as her brother, she said.

“I would sit in front of him and go page-by-page, and it would take me a little longer,” she said. “He would help me figure it out. He was brilliant in that sense, and totally focused on living in that moment.”

Ross Tello and his sister Lucy completed many Lego sets during his stay at Seattle Children’s Hospital. That was one of Ross’s favorite activities while he was there for treatment of a rare and aggressive cancer. Ross Tello was a Peninsula High School student when he was diagnosed. He died in 2023. His family collects Lego sets to donate to the hospital each year through the Ross Tello Memorial Lego Drive. Photo courtesy of Lucy Tello

The Ross Tello Memorial Lego Drive welcomes sets of all sizes and for all age groups, but it’s important to have sets for the older age groups, she said.

“In a children’s hospital, there’s just not as much for them to stay entertained,” she said. “They (the hospital) have a lot of toys, but at the time that Ross was there, there weren’t a lot of Legos. We appreciate them for all age ranges, though.”

Donors can drop off new, unopened sets at the Civic Center or purchase Lego sets through an Amazon wish list.

For more information contact Chloe Wiser, [email protected]