Ava is an 18 year old young lady who has been dealing with cancer since she was eight-years-old. When she was very young she was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, and she received nearly three years of intensive treatment. It was during this time that she learned the value of “giving back to others” and how it was both an act of kindness and therapeutic. It was then that “Ava’s Angels” was born.

Another young lady with chronic illness, named Hannah, nominated Ava for our Purple Playas’ Chronically Caring Kids stories. When asked, “What do you think of when you think of Ava,” she said, “She is BRAVE; Ava’s stronger today than her storms.”

In 2018, six and a half years after her initial diagnosis, Ava was considered cured. At 17 years old, however, her brain herniated and she was life-flighted to a hospital. During surgery, it was discovered she had a primary tumor, the size of an orange, on her right frontal lobe, diagnosed as glioblastoma. She was in a coma for nine days and intubated for 11 days. The doctors in the PICU did not expect her to make it.

Ava shared that her greatest joy from all that has happened is she has reunited with her mom and siblings. Even through all of this hardship, Ava found her joy.

“Ava’s Angels” collects toys, items, gift cards, and gas cards for the Christmas Season and brings them to kids and families who are in the hospital for Christmas. Ava knows first hand about long hospital stays during the holidays — she received her lymphoma diagnosis on Christmas Eve, 2010.

Ava wrapped up our interview by sharing, “I have been through a lot but that doesn’t make me any weaker as a person. It has made me extremely strong.”

Do you know an amazing kid with chronic illness who gives back to the community? Nominate them at ppf@purpleplayasfoundation.com