Check out the video version of my story here https://youtu.be/hCrIgcjQjOI

Hi! In case you don’t know me already, my name is Avery!

I have wanted to pursue a career in marine sciences for as long as I can remember. And saving our oceans and marine life is something I’ve always been extremely passionate about.

Prior to my diagnosis in 2018, I was accepted to a marine biology summer program for teens at my dream college, The University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Sadly I had to cancel my time there due to a brain cancer diagnosis. After an extensive brain surgery, two months of harsh radiation, and around a year of in-patient chemo treatment, I had lost a lot of my physical abilities. Things I enjoyed, on a daily basis such as running or even basic walking skills took a lot of time to relearn with the aid of a physical therapist.

While I continue to be cancer free, and in remission for 3 years, I still suffer from anxiety, depression, and ADD. I continue regular care for my treatment side effects and I never would’ve thought that I would be able to pursue my dreams. All because I just couldn’t function the way I did before cancer.

With the help of my cancer and mental health teams, and not to disclude my family, I can finally get back on track to being the person I’ve always wanted to be. My passion for marine biology has always been there, it just needed to be brought back to life.

This is the first year I’ve felt able to pursue my passion. Part of that will be going to a marine science camp this summer, geared more towards what I want to study. There, I will help take care of one of the largest coral reefs in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef.

Because this camp will be a huge financial burden on my family, I am asking you for some fundraising help! In return, I’m committed to giving back to my community.

For every $500 donated, I’m donating my time and skills to taking care of the planet and its residents! This is the only Earth we have so we need to take care of it! I put a list of all of the “give back” opportunities I’ll be doing throughout the fundraiser in the description below! This has always been a dream of mine, and I need your help to make it come true!

If you want to learn more about what I’ll be doing in Belize this summer to help save the ocean, I’ve dropped a short video about it in the comments below.

Thank you for helping me pursue my dreams AND save the ocean!

$500 - 15 hours at a soup kitchen

$1000 - 25 hours at our local animal shelter

$1500 - 1 day of Meals on Wheels

$2000 - Volunteer to plant trees for the town of Wake Forest

$2500 - Volunteer for one season of Miracle League Baseball

$3000 - 2 NC Coast beach clean up days with Carteret Big Sweep

$3500 - Help build a house with Habitats For Humanity

$4000 - Volunteer for the 8 week Sierra Student Coalition program

$4500 - Volunteer for the U.S National Park Service Volunteer-In-Parks Program

$5000 - One program from International Volunteer HQ