Ava's Warrior Journey

10/02/2025

🌟 Ava’s Warrior Journey – October Update 🌟

This week, Ava is heading back to New York to continue her brave fight against cancer. It’s a full schedule, filled with strength, hope, and the unwavering spirit she carries into every step. 💪💖

🩺 Monday: Pre-surgery check-in with her surgeon + lab work.

🧪 Tuesday: Oncology appointment, more labs, and IV placement for anesthesia ahead of MRI scans.

😴 Wednesday & Thursday: Rest days to recharge.

🔧 Friday: Surgery day.

Through it all, Ava continues to show us what true courage looks like. We’re praying, we’re believing, and we’re ready for good things. 🙏🏻💜

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Your love and support mean everything.

AvasWarriorJourney

09/20/2025

💛 September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 💛

Here is one more beautiful moment of Ava with courage, confidence, and pure joy, dancing her heart out 💃✨

She’s not just fighting cancer—she’s living fully in the face of it.

Thank you for being part of Ava’s journey. Your love lifts her—and us—more than you know.

💛

09/20/2025

💛 September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 💛

And if you need a dose of courage, confidence, and pure joy—just look at Ava dancing her heart out 💃✨

These moments aren’t just cute snapshots. They’re proof of her warrior spirit. Even with MRIs, stent replacements, and organ check-ins ahead in New York this October, Ava keeps showing up with sparkle, sass, and strength.

She’s not just fighting cancer—she’s living fully in the face of it.

We share these photos to celebrate her, yes—but also to shine a light on every child and family walking this road. September reminds us that childhood cancer is real, relentless, and deeply deserving of awareness, research, and support.

Thank you for being part of Ava’s journey. Your love lifts her—and us—more than you know.

💛

06/28/2025

06/11/2025

**Ava’s Fight Continues with Strength and Hope** 🎗️💜🦄

This month marks another milestone in Ava’s journey as she undergoes her first set of MRI scans since her January surgery—an important step in monitoring her progress.

Back in January, we made a difficult yet hopeful decision: shifting from an extended chemotherapy plan to one major surgery that removed much of the mass. It was a leap of faith, guided by trust in her incredible medical team and the unwavering belief in her strength.

Since that day, we've witnessed nothing short of a miracle—Ava’s resilience shining through in ways that continue to inspire us. She’s gained weight, showing remarkable progress in her mobility and development, and we’re celebrating a major milestone: returning her feeding pump. Each step forward is a testament to her spirit and the love that surrounds her.

In the coming weeks, she’ll undergo a routine, same-day outpatient procedure, and we expect her to be home that afternoon, needing just a day or two of extra rest.

We remain optimistic and deeply grateful for the continued love and support from all of you. This journey is a long one, with scans every three months for the next five years, but Ava is walking it with courage—and we feel the strength of this incredible community beside her every step of the way.

Thank you for being part of her story. 💙

04/06/2025

Ava is back in New York this week for follow-up surgery as part of her recovery journey.

These past weeks have tested her in extraordinary ways, and once they're in our family's rearview we can share more but Ava continues to shine as a beacon of resilience and strength.

Her joyful spirit remains undimmed. It’s awe-inspiring to see how this sweet and curious toddler brings energy, wonder, and laughter to every moment, even as she bravely navigates her path. She is a remarkable reminder of courage and hope.

We would be so grateful if you could keep Ava in your thoughts and prayers during this time. Your support is a source of comfort and inspiration for all of us. Thank you for standing with her and cheering her on in her fight to overcome cancer.

💜🦄🎗️

https://gofund.me/d831c550

01/28/2025

# # # Ava's Journey

Thank you all for your prayers and support. Unfortunately, there was a complication, and we are now taking things hour by hour.

Ava is a true fighter, embodying the strong will of her mom and the gentle kindness of her father. We ask for your continued prayers for Ava to pull through and for her strength and resilience to carry her through.

We believe in the power of prayer and the support of a higher power, whatever spiritual being that may be. Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to us as we navigate this difficult journey.

With gratitude 💜 & hopefilled hearts,
Maria & Kasey

https://gofund.me/5a0a92c6

01/10/2025

We’re so grateful to share that Ava completed her last round of chemotherapy (god willing) the weekend of December 15! This past cycle has been incredibly tough—hospitalizations, transfusions, significant weight loss, and painful mucositis. To support her nutrition, a NG-tube was placed, and despite these challenges, our little warrior is starting to bounce back. Seeing glimpses of her sweet, playful self again has been such a blessing.

Amidst it all, we were so thankful to celebrate a very special milestone—Ava’s 2nd birthday on December 30th! Watching her smile and laugh after all she’s endured was the greatest gift.

Since Ava’s diagnosis, we’ve prayed for a miracle, and I truly believe her archangel is listening. We’re now preparing for the next big step: heading to Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) in New York City. Her first appointment is on January 22, with surgery scheduled for January 27.

For those who don’t know, MSK is in Manhattan, and we’re doing everything we can to access the best care. We’re beyond thankful that we could switch insurance during open enrollment to one that covers MSK.

As we gear up for this next chapter, we welcome all the love, support, and prayers that continue to lift us up. We’ll also be fundraising to help with the costs of traveling and staying in NYC for treatment.

Thank you for being part of Ava’s journey. Your kindness means the world to us.

With love,
💛
Maria Whitney

01/10/2025

✨ Ava's Journey Update ✨

We’re so grateful to share that Ava completed her last round of chemotherapy (god willing) the weekend of December 15! This past cycle has been incredibly tough—hospitalizations, transfusions, significant weight loss, and painful mucositis. To support her nutrition, a NG-tube was placed, and despite these challenges, our little warrior is starting to bounce back. Seeing glimpses of her sweet, playful self again has been such a blessing.

Amidst it all, we were so thankful to celebrate a very special milestone—Ava’s 2nd birthday on December 30th! Watching her smile and laugh after all she's endured was the greatest gift.

Since Ava’s diagnosis, we’ve prayed for a miracle, and I truly believe her archangel is listening. We’re now preparing for the next big step: heading to Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) in New York City. Her first appointment is on January 22, with surgery scheduled for January 27.

For those who don’t know, MSK is in Manhattan, and we’re doing everything we can to access the best care. We’re beyond thankful that we could switch insurance during open enrollment to one that covers MSK.

As we gear up for this next chapter, we welcome all the love, support, and prayers that continue to lift us up. We’ll also be fundraising to help with the costs of traveling and staying in NYC for treatment.

Thank you for being part of Ava’s journey. Your kindness means the world to us.

With love,
Tina & Ava 💛

https://www.gofundme.com/f/avas-fight-against-cancer-your-support-matters

# # : 11.14.24 Ava; Our Little Warrior What a day. Today, … Maria Whitney needs your support for Ava's Fight Against Cancer: Your Support Matters

12/24/2024

# # # Ava's Update

We're grateful to share that Ava is heading home after an unexpected hospital visit. She's feeling much better and now has a new accessory—her NG tube. This nasogastric (NG) tube is a thin, flexible tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach to deliver or remove substances, and it's already helping provide her with much-needed nutrients and keeping her medications down.

Ava is getting used to her new accessory, and her resilience amazes us every day. Despite the challenges, she remains sassy, silly, and incredibly brave. She still loves her Disney movies and play therapy, finding joy in the little things.

Over the next few weeks, we continue to pray fervently that Ava's cancer remains operable. We are currently exploring other treatment options with Neuroblastoma specialists, hoping to open up more possibilities for her.

Thank you all for your continued love and support. We are hopeful for a Christmas miracle and for Ava's surgical plans to be finalized in January 2025.

With heartfelt gratitude 💜🎗️

12/15/2024

# # # Ava Update

We wanted to share an update on our brave little warrior, Ava. She began her 4th round of chemotherapy this past Friday. Despite the intense treatments, Ava continues to show an incredible strength and resilience.

Even under the most difficult circumstances, she finds moments to smile, play, and be the joyful toddler she is. Her spirit shines through every challenge, reminding us of the power of hope and determination.

This may not be the Christmas we dreamed of, but every day with Ava is a precious blessing. Each moment is a step towards her recovery and a testament to her unwavering fight against cancer.

Thank you all for your continued support, love, and prayers. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you standing by us during this journey.

With love,
Ava's Aunties

11/28/2024

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for her resilience, for the incredible care team helping her through, and for all of you—our village. Your prayers, love, and constant support mean more to us than we can express.

Even on the hardest days, Ava shows us the power of hope, love, and fighting forward. Thank you for being part of her story and for lifting us up. Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with love, family, and gratitude. 💛