Ava’s Fight for Life
On September 19, 2020, at 12 years old, Ava began to experience intense pain at the base of her neck. She suffered from headaches, double vision, and difficulty with her balance. As a Ballerina, Ava has developed a very high tolerance for pain, but this pain brought Ava to tears. Ava’s Mom, Becky, found Ava laying on her bed crying due to the intense pain. Becky realized that Ava needed to go to the hospital immediately. That evening, at the hospital, Ava was diagnosed with a cancerous, inoperable brain tumor in her brainstem.
San Diego Ballerina, Ava Catherine Handley, performs with the prestigious City Ballet in San Diego. Although Ava is only 13 years old, her talent has her performing with the prestigious City Ballet Junior company at San Diego’s Spreckels Theatre. Ava started ballet at age four, excelling in the art and discipline required to become well on her way to a professional career in Ballet. Ava is a driven and extraordinary dancer. After auditioning in January of 2021 for Joffrey Ballet of NY Summer Intensive, Ava was not only accepted but was extremely excited to attend the New York City program for two weeks this past July. Although she is tough, her cancer treatments can keep her from doing what she loves.
Ava has undergone a three-week round of radiation treatments and is now undergoing monthly immunotherapy treatments. Unfortunately, her current treatment is becoming less effective. The family is currently evaluating options for alternative treatments that Ava may be a candidate for. All these treatments that are part of a research study for her high-grade glioma in her brainstem require that Ava travels to the treatments nearly 500 miles from home for weeks at a time. This new treatment will allow Ava the opportunity to be part of a very promising study for her and to learn more about this disease for other patients in the future. So far, the results on other children have been incredible - the best yet.
Ava has a beautiful family surrounding her with love and support. Her father, Kevin, is a San Diego Police Officer, her mom, Becky, is a Respiratory Therapist, and her loving brother is 17-year-old, Charlie.
As Ava continues her fight, supporting her and her family through prayers, encouragement and financial gifts will help ease the stress and burdens that come along with this challenge and assist with the travel expenses to pursue Ava’s participation in this exciting research study. The family thanks all those supporting them with love in this journey and will continue to provide updates.
Per Ava’s parents, Kevin and Becky, any funds not used for Ava’s medical expenses will be donated to assist further research for these brain cancer programs.
