Support Ava’s Battle Against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Update 10/17/2024: It’s been a busy few weeks, but again I want to say thank you so much to everyone who has supported the family.

Ava was admitted to Stanford earlier this week for clotting issues and will have to stay until they are dissolved. Crystal (mom) has made the difficult but necessary decision to take a leave of absence while Ava is receiving treatment for now.

The estimated out-of-pocket costs of just the chemo and PET scan are already at $54,000. This doesn’t include what the insurance has covered. There is no real help for this, as crazy as it sounds, and grants cover very little.

This will be a long journey. If people want to help fundraise in other ways, please reach out to me and let me know your ideas. Thank you again for everything!

P.S. Isn’t she stunning ?

Update 10/6/2024: First, thank you so much to all who have donated so far. It has been tremendously helpful.

Ava’s first chemo appointment was 9/30. She handled it like a champion! Her parents were incredibly proud of how brave she was through the process. Unfortunately, the cost of supplies to keep Ava’s picc line sterile and safe totaled $2500 out of pocket.

The next day, Ms. Ava struggled with the effects of treatment and had to make a trip to the emergency room, resulting in an additional $400 co-pay. Two days of necessary treatment cost nearly $3000. And it is just getting started.

Original post:

This is one of those stories that any parent dreads hearing.

It begins with a brilliant, athletic, and energetic 12-year-old girl. Her family recently celebrated her accomplishment in scoring a spot on a competitive softball team. A beautiful girl on the brink of experiencing some of the most defining and special moments of youth and young adulthood.

These plans were abruptly placed in limbo as Ava was recently diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. As hard a journey as this is for Ava, it has proven equally difficult in other ways for her parents and siblings. It’s been beautiful to watch the kids all come together to support each other through the impossible. It’s also been devastating to watch my oldest and closest friend hold it all together despite the impossible situation and uncertainty of the future.

Anyone who knows Crystal knows she’s a fiercely independent woman and hard worker. She has dedicated her world to her family and will stop at nothing to make sure her daughter gets the best treatment.

While her insurance does cover treatment, there are additional expenses not covered, including lodging during chemo appointments as they occur 1.5 hours away and last all day. They are outpatient, so by the time they are finished, it is too late and Ava is too tired to go home.

Also, while staying nearby on treatment weeks, they will not be able to easily bring their own food. They may need to eat out more than usual.

Finally, they may need help covering lost wages if treatment requires more time off.

If you know the Souza’s, you know how hard they work and how dedicated Crystal has remained to her kids. They are not big on reaching out for help, but I have no issue doing so. Sometimes the only way to help people is through financial support.

Thank you!

Michelle Rydman, on behalf of Crystal Bingham Souza