Waiting for a Miracle – Ava’s Story

07/12/2025

Ava’s Fight for Life: A Brave 15-Year-Old Waiting for a Miracle

Ava is just 15 years old, but her life has been anything but ordinary.

At the age of 12, Ava was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease—a condition that has changed every part of her childhood. While most kids her age were enjoying school dances, sports, sleepovers, and summer adventures, Ava was in and out of hospitals, enduring grueling treatments, endless doctor visits, and painful procedures.

Instead of planning her Sweet 16, Ava is praying for a kidney.

Ava’s days are filled with medications, dietary restrictions, dialysis, and uncertainty. She dreams of simply living—of going to the mall with friends, laughing without worry, running without getting tired, and waking up without feeling sick. She’s missed so much of what it means to be a teenager.

And yet, through it all, Ava remains strong. She is brave. She is hopeful. She is waiting—for a life-saving kidney transplant that could give her a second chance.

Every day counts. Every share, every prayer, every moment of awareness brings her one step closer to the gift she desperately needs: a healthy kidney and a chance to just be a kid again.

Please help us spread Ava’s story. Help us find a living donor. Help give Ava her life back.

10/19/2024

Ava needs your help... We have to have permanent housing, housing not being at the Ronald McDonald for her to be added to the Donor List... We need help getting a place so we're able to Ava on this list immediately. There's no possible way we can afford deposit, rent, on top of moving fees all at one time. For Ava to get what she needs this is a must from the hospital... We need your help to make this possible, so Ava can get a kidney... then finally be able to go on with her life, try to get back to normal and have the best quality of life that she so ever deserves... If you can donate, please do... If you can't please pray for her and share this so maybe someone else that sees it may be able to help... Thank you all so much.

06/21/2024 Update:

Ava has had 2 hospital stays in the last month! Each of them lasting 5 days or more. We have decided that moving to a farm was maybe not the right decision. We need to move closer to Lexington ( University of Kentucky hospital). One of the things seeing with Ava is that people see her and think that she looks totally healthy so we have had some people ask is... Are you really sick?! This is what we have encountered at the farm, some people thinking that they know more than Sarah and I on how to care for her. One of the people said that she has spoiled behavior and never gets told NO! This poor child has heard more NO's in the last 2 years than other children. We could really use some help with moving closer to Lexington. This would allow me to find a full time job to support us. On the farm, it is an hour to get to Lexington and I don't have my car because it needs tires. We cannot live like this for much longer, it has been over 2 years, we need our own place and get setttled for Halle and Ava. If anyone can find it in your hearts to help us, we will really appreciate it! I am going to keep a log of anyone that helps us and you will be paid back. Thank you

Hi I haven't given an update lately so here goes... 05 /18 /2024

.So, update on Ava:

She was released from the hospital yesterday. She is losing weight so quickly that the Drs are having trouble keeping up with her dry weight, which consequently has caused her body to retain too much extra fluid. This has caused some changes in her heart, from making it work harder to pump all that extra fluid. She’s exhausted all the time, barely eating, and just overall seems to be worn down. My heart hurts and I’m very worried. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers..

Ava had both kidneys removed about a month ago since then she has to get well enough to be put on the transplant list. The medical team has said that it will probably be another year, but we still have to be here in Indianapolis because she has dialysis 3 - 4 times a week and that is 4- 6 hours a day. Her emotions are up and down all of the time so Sarah has not been able to work. I cannot work and am in the middle of trying to get disability.I believe the Ronald McDonald house is not going to be available to us much longer, we have been here over a year. Please please anything will help! Sarah and I are both stressed because of the unknowing.

Hi, my name is Pamela Shearer and I am setting this up for my daughter to help with my granddaughter, Ava. She has been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome about 6 months ago. She has been in the hospital 4 times since then with no answers. Now, she is being sent to Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis today. The Pediatric Nephrologist up there is saying that this is a very complicated case and he wants to start over with tests to confirm the diagnosis. This is very urgent, they are trying to set up transportation to Indianapolis today! My daughter is overwhelmed with the stress of Ava being sick and trying to keep up with paying her bills. She also has not found a place to live yet where she works (new job - 4 months ago) I am asking for anything to help her with all of the expenses. God Bless you and Merry Christmas ☃️

Any prayers would be appreciated!

Please read updates, there you can follow what is happening

Both kidneys have failed and her lungs are scarred. She is on a ventilator and 24 hours