And then it all changed

Written by Cynthia, Mom to Ava

Ava and I were sitting in the car outside her doctor's office finishing a snack. We had just come from the hospital where she had a CT scan because she was falling down and losing her balance. I had no idea walking back into that office we would receive the worst news ever, our four year old daughter had a brain tumor. I couldn't breathe. The world that I knew changed. It went from dreaming of what Ava would be when she grew up to wondering if she would live another year. We went from taking her to school each morning to taking her to radiation and chemo appointments everyday. The tumor Ava had (DIPG) was inoperable and terminal upon diagnosis. She was given 9-12 months to live. The diagnosis was devastating. Kids aren't supposed to get cancer, but they do. In a matter of a week we went from having a healthy child to a death sentence. That time is still a blur to me and Ava is the only reason I made it through. She saw me crying and told me not to worry because she would be okay. Whenever I would feel weak her strength would lift me up. Her smile and laugh could always bring me out of sadness. She fought so hard but ultimately cancer won. Ava passed away in November. Our family is trying to find a way to manage in this new life without her. Simply put, it is very difficult. The smallest reminder can bring our grief to the surface. As we pick up the pieces, I am thankful. Thankful for the gold hope project and the hope it is bringing families in their darkest moments. Times when they don't know what the future holds. These fighter's smiles light up so many hearts and show us what courage really means. I can't imagine a better way for Ava's memory to live on.

 Ava was the inspiration for The Gold Hope Project, she will forever be our first Gold Ambassador