Avery Strong

After celebrating the holidays as a healthy 9 month old and looking forward to a fun year, it was discovered on January 29th, 2018 that Avery had hydrocephalus and a golf ball size tumor on her brain. On January 31st, Avery underwent brain surgery to have the tumor removed (in which the entire tumor was removed) and has had multiple follow-up tests and procedures, as well as a shunt that was placed in her brain to help regulate the flow of fluid. On February 5th, my sister and brother-in-law, Holly and Jeff Watt, received news that no parent should ever have to receive. Their sweet baby girl, Avery Jean, at the young age of only 10 months, was diagnosed with a very rare and very aggressive brain cancer called Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT). On Feb 14th, Holly and Jeff received even more devastating news that the cancer had spread to Avery's spine and that treatment options were minimal. However, Holly and Jeff were determined to fight for Aves and decided to still make the trip down to St. Judes in Tennessee for a second opinion. They, along with their other daughter Hannah, who just turned three, arrived at St. Judes and were immediately welcomed with open arms! After completing a new MRI and spinal tap, it was determined that the cancer had not spread to the spine like they were originally told. With that great news, a new treatment plan was immediately put into place. Holly, Hannah and Avery are now scheduled to stay in Tennessee for 7 to 8 months while Avery undergoes chemo and proton therapy treatment. Unfortunately, Jeff will have to frequently travel back and forth to Michigan.

With all of the inquiries as to how friends and family can help with this difficult journey, we decided to set up this fund as a way to help support Holly and Jeff. Holly and Jeff are the most amazing parents and they will do whatever it takes to keep their baby girl alive and well! While St. Jude's does cover some of the cost of their stay, additional funds will be needed to cover the cost of travel, basic needs etc. Also, Holly and Jeff's parents will be switching on and off, to ensure that Holly, Hannah and Avery are never alone. We extremely appreciate all of the love and support you all have shown to Holly and Jeff during this difficult time and we are confident that Avery is going to fight her way through this and come out a stronger, braver girl in the end!

Tho she be but little, she is FIERCE!!! ♡