Ava has always been a playful kid, but now that she’s a fun-loving 13-year-old, she focuses less on hating her vegetables and more on the things that matter. She’s an avid volunteer and loves spending her time at school or practicing her swimming at the pool. They say, “don’t mess with Texas,” and after a battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), cancer has learned not to mess with Ava!

At 7 years old, Ava began experiencing a strangely persistent pain in her wrist. She and her family assumed it must be a break or fracture, but a trip to the doctor only left them with more questions. After getting X-rays and an MRI, it was clear that Ava had no injuries. The mystery pain continued, and after a while, her family decided to take her to Texas Children’s Hospital. On February 1, she received an official acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis.

Since then, Ava has undergone countless rounds of chemotherapy and numerous lumbar punctures. Despite a difficult journey through treatment, today, Ava has no evidence of disease! Still, she sets a positive example for all those around her. Her family is inspired by her strength, often thinking “If she, at 7 years old, could fight off cancer, I can get through a few hard times.”

Throughout Ava’s childhood cancer journey, one lesson has remained clear: keep the faith. No matter how long or hard the path is, her family wants to remind others to hold fast to hope and have faith. They’re grateful to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for providing them with resources like a starter packet during a complicated time and look to the Foundation with the hope that through donations and research, all cancers will be curable someday.

Hero quote: “Though she be little, she be fierce.” - Ava

Information provided by Ava Gallien
Updated August 2022