
Urgent Donations Needed for Ava's Recovery
Donation protected
AVA UPDATE #5: On August 8th 2025, Ava gained her angel wings. She has taken on the role of guardian angel and superhero. She may forever be five, but she will be loved by her family for much longer than that. Through her passing, Ava was able to save multiple lives, specially three children, through organ donation. Cayla and Evan thank everyone who has reached out, send a gift or donation, kept them in their thoughts and most importantly kept Ava in their prayers. This is an absolutely unimaginable loss. Ava will be missed more than words can begin to explain. Forever Five
Ava’s obituary can be found here:
AVA UPDATE #4:
Yesterday, Ava showed signs of reflex and responded to the neurosurgeon’s commands and was able to squeeze Cayla and Evan’s hands. As quickly as that hope came, it disappeared. Ava’s pressures in her brain became too high leaving doctors to perform a bedside CT followed by an additional Angiogram. The results showed Ava suffering from vasospasm and strokes on the front part of her brain. Throughout the day, Ava was given medications to attempt to combat one injury without impacting the existing bleeding and aneurism. Ava’s pressures remained too high despite all of the medication to combat them. By 9pm, Ava’s team performed another bedside CT. These results explained that the strokes had become worse and are impacting more areas of Ava’s brain. Cayla, Evan, Ava’s team have had the hardest conversation possible as they navigate the next days to come. We ask to please let Cayla and Evan have privacy during this time. They both are so appreciative of the support that all of you have shown. They can’t thank you enough. Let’s let them focus on the upcoming days as this is so incredibly difficult for them.
AVA UPDATE #3: Ava should be celebrating at her 5th birthday party today, but instead it has been one week since the nightmare began. Every test, scan, plan and moment is crucial. Ava has a large medical team supporting her at UPMC Children’s in Pittsburgh who have been nothing short of incredible at ensuring Ava is provided with the absolute best. Cayla and Evan cannot express their appreciation enough for her team as they’ve helped them understand and navigate the easy and hard. Ava’s room is filled with blankets, stuffies, cards, coloring pages, balloons and most importantly so much love. Cayla and Evan thank everyone for the continued support and for every thought and prayer for Ava. Keep them coming.
AVA UPDATE #2: Yesterday, on Ava’s 5th birthday, MRI results were read to Cayla and Evan. Unfortunately, it was not the news anyone wanted to hear. The damage to Ava’s brain stem is very severe. We ask for an abundance of prayers at this time as Cayla and Evan are living every parent’s nightmare. We also ask that you allow Cayla and Evan time to fully engage and focus on Ava’s needs at this time. They see and appreciate all of the love and support.
AVA UPDATE: As of now, Ava will undergo an angiogram today to help the doctors better understand the depth of the bleeding in her brain. This procedure will help determine what steps to take next. Doctors are working diligently to understand how this happened. Tests results from yesterday show that Ava’s heart and kidneys look fine and they do not believe either of those organs correlate with her condition. Further testing is being conducted with the family at this time. Please continue to pray, share the gofundme, and donate if able to. Cayla, Evan, and Ava are so extremely blessed to have so many amazing people in their lives and thank you for all of the support during this time of uncertainty.
On Saturday evening while Cayla and Ava were at home enjoying a fun night together, Ava began experiencing a severe headache. Ava continued to express how painful this headache was and Cayla quickly called 911 for help. While waiting for EMS to arrive, Ava had started to vomit and began seizing. By the time help had arrived, Ava was unconscious.
Ava arrived at Weirton Medical Center where she continued to have seizures then was taken in for a scan where it was learned that Ava has a brain bleed and brain aneurysm. After their findings doctors decided it was best to life-flight Ava to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Ava has undergone two surgeries so far but unfortunately the bleeding has not stopped and they were not able to stop the aneurysm.
Doctors are planning to perform another surgery tomorrow in hopes to coil the aneurysm. This is an extremely crucial time right now for Ava and her family.
Ava is an incredibly sweet young girl who loves life! Ava enjoys coloring, dancing, singing, and spending one on one time with her dad, Evan. What’s even more heartbreaking is Ava was ready to celebrate her 5th birthday this Wednesday the 30th with family and friends before this happened. We are asking for donations in order to help Cayla with any future medical expenses and personal expenses such as bills, groceries, etc. If you can donate, we appreciate any amount you are able to give. If you are unable to donate, we are asking for prayers. The power of prayer is so incredibly important to Cayla during this time. Please share this page in hopes to reach our goal and help Cayla and Evan as they focus on Ava’s recovery. Thank you!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Alyssa Matijevich
Organizer
Burgettstown, PA
Cayla Wharton
Beneficiary