Please Help Ava Fight Cancer

Ava Abbott is only 22 years old. Three weeks ago, she received the devastating prognosis that she has only months to live. Brain cancer, fought off by Ava 6 years ago, has metastasised to her liver, kidney, and bones.

Ava’s dad, Richard Abbott, and I (mum, Catherine) were with her in the hospital room when the oncologist broke the heartbreaking news that no parent should have to hear. Our world shattered and we had to find the strength to tell Ava’s brother, Callum, and our closeknit family and friends.

We are all desperate to make Ava’s remaining time with us and her friends as happy and fulfilling as we possibly can and that means we need your help. As a family, we often struggle asking for support but with the encouragement of our friends and family, we realise we need it now more than ever.

Please, if you can, contribute to our urgent fundraiser and share this page with your friends, family and anyone who may be able to help.

Here is how your donation can help make a huge difference:

• Fund access to pazopanib, a drug which could extend Ava’s life by pausing tumour growth. This is not available on the NHS and will cost £3000 per month.

• Help cover the overwhelming expenses associated with frequent hospital appointments.

• Allow Ava’s family to spend as much time as possible with her, doing the things she loves, without the financial burden that would bring.

• Contribute to making Ava’s remaining time as comfortable as it can possibly be.

We have already had some amazing acts of kindness from Richard’s friends who have been around since school rugby days and after, at Hemel Hempstead (Camelot) RUFC. Ava is to visit a private collection of military tanks, thanks to the contact of a friend who knows that she is deeply interested in, and knowledgeable about, the historical development and engineering of these machines and their artillery, even making 3D models of them to be implemented in games and other projects. Another good friend has organised something similar too.

AVA’S STORY

Ava is an incredibly kind, compassionate, and intelligent person who, even in her current situation, doesn't hesitate to put others before herself. She is someone who, despite the difficulties throughout her life, continues to be a wonderful friend to so many. She always has time for others, despite her own time now being limited.

Ava has faced tremendous challenges from the very start:

Born 3 months prematurely with a bleed on the brain and a collapsed lung

Severe pain from joint hypermobility syndrome

The late discovery of a large, rare life-threatening and malignant brain tumour (haemangiopericytoma) at 16 years of age

Two 8 hour emergency craniotomies to debulk most of the tumour

Post-surgical issues of hydrocephalus, forcing another brain surgery to implant a shunt, and seizures leading to an epilepsy diagnosis

Proton Beam Therapy to target the tumour site and remaining cancer cells over 10 weeks in Jacksonville, USA.

Severe fatigue and short term memory issues being constant side effects from the surgeries, Proton Beam Therapy, and pain medications.

Added to these were the psychological challenges of having a brain tumour, cancer diagnosis, constant scans, and an area of permanent hair loss at 17 years old. Also, missing the first year of A’ level studies due to treatment and recovery, re-starting 6th form without her well established group of friends to support her, then a few months before sitting A’ level exams, Covid19 hit and school shut down.

Being clinically vulnerable, Ava’s life, and the family’s, changed dramatically again. Shielding meant no time spent with her friends and extended family. Hospital appointments and surveillance scans got delayed. Ava’s anxiety increased because she was also trying to cope with the burden of coming out to us about her true gender identity.

Then in January 2022, 3 small bony tumours were found in Ava’s pelvis. These were treated with cryoablation and radiotherapy.

In December, two were found in her skull and treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

In March of this year, barely 6 weeks after Ava’s Grandpa suddenly passed away, another pelvic tumour and spine tumour were discovered.

More cryoablation and radiotherapy were given. Ava’s oncologists told her that while the treatment continued to work, they would keep “zapping” the sarcomas. We took that as a win, under the circumstances.

So, being told in September that 6 more sarcomas had been found and that the liver tumour had been missed on a previous scan was shocking. Two weeks later, we were told that the liver sarcoma is too advanced for treatment and surgery would not be appropriate. Palliative radiotherapy to reduce bone fractures and pain, alongside pain medication is oncology’s offer.

But Ava is not giving up without a fight…

We have requested a second opinion in case other treatments have been overlooked, and Ava has asked to be considered for research trials that may work on preventing tumour growth, one of which, at The Royal Marsden, is currently considering Ava’s suitability. Ava has also submitted blood samples which will be used to analyse the genetic code of the tumours to find any experimental drug treatments that may be suitable.

Ava has shown so much strength and resilience throughout her life and we, of course, have been with her every step of the way. Now, we must face the most devastating and hardest time that any family could imagine.

Your donation can make a world of difference:

• With at least £18,000, we can provide Ava with a chance of a non NHS drug that may offer hope of a few more months of life

• Your contribution can enable Ava to create lasting memories, fulfilling some dreams, and cherishing precious moments with loved ones

• By donating and sharing Ava's story far and wide, you can help us maintain financial stability during this uncertain time ahead, helping us to minimise further stress for Ava and her family.

Please join us in this heartfelt journey. Donate if you can and help us make a profound impact on the rest of Ava's and our family’s life.

Thank you so much for reading.