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Meet Ava a 12 year old power-house-inspiration! Please contribute to our campaign and be part of “Team Br-Ava"!!
We’re raising money to support Ava’s mom: Nicole, a single Mother who had just started a new job prior to Ava’s diagnosis. In order to care for Ava, Nicole had to take an unpaid leave of absence, and because she had just started her job, she did not qualify for disability benefits. And while Ava has a loving and committed father, who has been with her every step of the way, Nicole is financially independent from him and must rely on her own means. Government assistance is running out and the bills have piled up.
Asking for financial help is a humbling experience but it's at these times where family, friends and the community can make a huge difference for Nicole and her family. Our goal in starting this campaign is to alleviate some of this financial stress, so that Nicole can focus on Ava, and Ava can focus on getting well.
Ava's Story
Last Thanksgiving weekend, Ava and her family's life changed life forever when the doctor at CHEO told them that Ava was suffering from leukemia and that they had to begin treatment right away in order to save her life.
Ava was initially diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) which has the highest cure rate and is typically treated with a 3-year regime of ongoing chemotherapy.
However after many weeks of very difficult chemotherapy, Ava’s bone marrow aspirations showed that she was not progressing as expected. DNA testing subsequently showed that Ava has a muted chromosome which meant that traditional therapy was not going to work and she would require either a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
Unfortunately, there were no bone marrow matches within Ava’s family but she was a candidate for a stem cell transplant.
What's next?
In April, Ava went to St. Justin’s in Montreal to undergo a stem cell transplant (thanks to the generous, anonymous donation from a family of a “baby boy” who was a good match for Ava). Preparation for the transplant included heavy regimes of chemotherapy followed by twice daily radiation, which basically wiped out Ava’s current immune system in readiness for the transplant.
Ava Today
Ava underwent the transplant 2 weeks ago and she is showing AMAZING progress – her medical team are very optimistic that this could be a full recovery and cure for Ava! Ava needs to be in the hospital for another 3 weeks and, assuming all continues in this positive direction, she will finally be able to go home where she will begin to build her strength and be monitored for progress.
These were taken of Ava on June 3rd, weakened but still smiling!
Over the past 7 months Ava has displayed incredible, mind-boggling courage and fortitude that has overwhelmed and inspired her family, friends and even the hospital staff who care for her. She’s been poked, prodded, radiated and her body has been weakened to the point where she now needs physio to get her neck and leg strength back, since she’s been in bed for so long!! DESPITE all of this, Ava always has a smile for anyone who greets her and she continues to exude positivity and grace – she is truly a remarkable child who will grow into a remarkable woman that will contribute great things to this world – there is no doubt about this girl’s spirit!
We need your support!
Please help us raise money for Ava’s mom Nicole so
she can pay for the many bills that have piled up and be able to stay
with Ava through this critical healing time.
NO amount is too small! Please share this remarkable story with your own friends and family and thank you so much for being part of “Team Br-Ava”.
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