Kids with Cancer

We’ll Miss You, Sweet Avery

by Jane Hoppen, Director of Family Relations, St. Baldrick's Foundation
June 13, 2016

On June 13, we learned that 2013 Ambassador Avery passed away.

Ambassador Avery in her photoshoot

In loving memory of sweet Avery, forever 13.

“She was peaceful and calm,” wrote her mom, Stephanie, on the Fabulous Team Avery Facebook group earlier today.

Even though we knew Avery was on hospice, the words felt like a sucker punch to the gut. No amount of preparation could have prepared us for the news that childhood cancer claimed the life of a fabulous kid like Avery.

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Families

When Things Don’t Go As Planned: Avery’s Unexpected Turn

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
June 8, 2016

In our last update on 2013 Ambassador Avery, she was participating in a clinical trial to treat her brain tumor. Today, she’s off the trial and back home on hospice care. Here’s an update on the next chapter in Avery’s story.

Ambassador Avery headshot

2013 Ambassador Avery was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2011.

At the end of last year, after living with a stable brain tumor for two and a half years, 13-year-old Avery was back in the fight against childhood cancer.

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Families

What Being a Mother Means to This Cancer Mom

by Stephanie Driscoll
May 6, 2016

2013 Ambassador Avery has been fighting a brain tumor since she was 8. Her mom, Stephanie, has been by her side every step of the way. Read what Stephanie has to say about how childhood cancer has changed her job as a mom.

The Driscoll Family at Disneyland

Stephanie smiles with her husband and four children on a recent trip to Disneyland.

I always wanted to be a mom, and I have always taken my role as a mother to heart. But now, I’m an advocate for my kids, too.

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Families

Clinical Trials and a ‘Can Do’ Attitude: An Update on Ambassador Avery

by Jeena Gould, St. Baldrick's Foundation
May 4, 2016

2013 Ambassador Avery has had one wild ride during her childhood cancer experience. Read an update on how she’s keeping her “can do” attitude throughout her relapse, clinical trial, and everything in between.

Avery was one of five St. Baldrick's Ambassadors for 2013.

While news of a brain tumor might stop some people from having a positive outlook on life, that’s not the case for 2013 Ambassador Avery.

“Some people get cancer and others don’t,” she said. “This is just what I have to deal with.”

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Families

Dear Mom, Thank You for Being My Hero

by Avery D.
May 1, 2015

When 2013 Ambassador Avery was diagnosed with a brain tumor, her mom was her biggest support. Now 12 and two years post-treatment, Avery shares her sweet letter to her mom for Mother’s Day.

Avery and her mom while Avery was in treatment for childhood cancer
Dear Mom,

I love you because you love me.

Thank you for teaching me how to sew, taking me to piano and helping me when I had cancer. You are the best mom in the world.

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Families

10 Reasons I Love My Dad

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
June 14, 2013

avery-happy-fathers-day
by Avery

1. He snuggles with me.

2. He helps me do art.

3. He goes to events with me.

4. He gives me money if I rub his feet.

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Head-Shaving

Avery’s First St. Baldrick’s Event [PHOTO ESSAY]

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
March 27, 2013

Avery, one of five St. Baldrick’s Ambassadors in 2013, attended her first head-shaving event this month at McMullan’s Irish Pub in Las Vegas. Avery’s mom, Stephanie, tells the story, with photos by Melissa Jacks Photography.

This was an amazing first event for our family. Until now, we had only heard about the great things that St. Baldrick’s does for kids’ cancer research, so we were thrilled when we got the invitation to come see an event in action at McMullan’s Irish Pub in Las Vegas.

McMullans_Driscoll-Family.jpg

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Head-Shaving

$9 Million Raised for Childhood Cancer Research

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
March 5, 2013
9MMcollage2.jpg

2013 St. Baldrick’s Ambassador Avery and her family are thrilled to announce that the St. Baldrick’s community has raised more than $9 million for childhood cancer research!

Avery’s mom, Stephanie, says, “We are awed by the generous donations of time and money given to St. Baldrick’s. We are excited by the possibilities that this brings to kids with cancer and finding new ways to treat it and one day conquer it.”

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Kids with Cancer

Meet Avery

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
January 9, 2013

Avery’s attitude about having a brain tumor is, “Some people get cancer and others don’t. This is just what I have to deal with.” Diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma in June 2011, Avery had a craniotomy that removed about 60% of her tumor along with three months of steroids and is having eight rounds of chemotherapy. Her mom, Stephanie, says, “If anyone can handle this, it’s Avery… She’s a ‘can do’ kind of girl.”

Averymainblog.jpg

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