Ava B.

Ava was cancer free for 6 years, and then at her yearly oncology visit in January 2018, they found a spot on her partial remaining kidney. Once again, our family’s world was turned upside down. Ava and her sister, Emma, have been dancing for the past 7 years, and they have been dancing competitively together for the past 3. Dance was and continues to be an important and crucial part of Ava’s physical recovery from surgery, treatment and side effects. Dance has been a critical part of both Ava and Emma’s mental recovery, and it created an incredible, unbreakable bond between these two sisters.

 

When Ava was diagnosed with a cancer relapse in January, it was one week before their first competition. Ava was heartbroken. She so badly wanted us to postpone her surgery to remove the tumor on her kidney but there was no way we could do that — we couldn’t give cancer any additional time to grow. After recovering from surgery and beginning treatment, Ava’s oncologist told her if she was feeling up to it, then she could compete in an upcoming competition. Sadly, the studio owner, who had agreed to honor a scholarship arrangement for Ava and Emma by the previous owner, no longer wanted to support them after learning of Ava’s relapse diagnosis and ended up kicking Ava and her sister off the team and out of the studio. Ava and Emma were devastated but Ava was not going to let this stop her. She was determined to dance, no matter what. Her older sister, Emma, stepped up and said, 'If Ava wants to compete, then she’ll compete. I’ll choreograph her a new solo and make her costume and she WILL compete'. And that’s exactly what these two girls did.

Within 10 days, we found a competition that allowed Ava to be a late entry, Emma made a costume and choreographed a new piece, and Ava learned and competed “Game of Survival” as an Independent Dancer. Ava won 1st in her category, 1st overall and a 5 star elite score (highest score of the day). That was just the beginning. Since then, Ava and Emma continue to compete their solos and have choreographed and competed an incredible duet as independent entries and are currently in the process of choreographing additional duets and solos they want to compete. Wherever they go, there are countless people who approach Ava and tell her what an inspiration she is to all kids battling cancer or fighting through their own journey. Ava wants to give hope to others and encourage others to never give up and to follow your dreams, as best you can.

Ava has bravely battled cancer a second time with determination unlike what I’ve ever seen. Her oncologist and entire oncology team are in awe of her ability to push through this extremely harsh treatment protocol and continue to practice and compete at such a high level. At these competitions, she is constantly approached by other dancers and told of how much she inspires them. Ava wants to continue to inspire other kids battling cancer to continue pursuing their passion to the best of their ability through treatment.

Dance means the world to Ava — to both girls. Dance is the reason Ava shows no significant deformation in her lower back muscles from her radiation treatments. It gives her something to take her away from all the crap she’s going through. It truly is an escape for both girls.