Sweet Ava Margaret Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Ava’s Story
Ava Margaret Ruyle was born two weeks early on July 30, 2009. She is the daughter of Douglas and Christina (Macher) Ruyle. Ava has two younger brothers, Gage (2 years old) and Layne (11 months old). At birth Ava appeared to be a very healthy 4 lbs. 13 oz. beautiful baby girl. The night before going home, Ava had a difficult time passing the car seat test. She was transferred the next day to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Soon after being admitted to the NICU, AVA was transferred to the Cardiac ICU. Ava was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect, HLHS, along with other heart issues. Ava underwent 3 major palliative surgeries for HLHS at the early ages of 10 days, 6 months, and 3 years old, as Ava lives with only half of her heart. Since the surgeries, Ava has had procedures to keep the initial surgeries functioning, including 8 cardiac catherizations involving stents and balloons. She has been hospitalized several times with what should be normal childhood illnesses or procedures. Even Ava’s dental work had to be performed by a pediatric specialist as St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Luckily she was there for her dental work because she coded while getting four caps placed. Even with all the bumps in the road she lived her life like any other little girl with few limitations.
In April of 2016, Ava was diagnosed with a very rare disease, Evans Syndrome. Evans Syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which an individual’s antibodies attack his/her own red blood cells and platelets. This disease is triggered by flu, strep, antibiotics and the list goes on. This disease required Ava to go to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for bi-weekly blood draws and monthly appointments with her hematologist oncologist, renal specialist, and immunologists as well as regular visits with her cardiologist. Since diagnosis, Ava had been hospitalized four times with Evans Syndrome relapse. Ava’s most recent hospitalization required a cardiac cath due to fluid building up in the lungs and a drainage tube. An existing stent was ballooned and stretched successfully. Upon further examination it was found her last surgery at the age, was failing. The only choice of treatment was medication unless at some point she became a transplant candidate. She was also treated for acute kidney injury with dialysis and medications. Different medications were being trialed to help Ava battle Evans Syndrome and the multiple organs it was now affecting. Unfortunately, sweet Ava passed away on March 13, 2017. She fought hard, strong and proud and is now a beautiful angel in heaven.
As previously mentioned, Doug and Christina Ruyle are the proud parents of Ava, Gage and Layne. Dough is an electrician (Local 649) and Christina is a registered nurse (Alton Memorial Hospital). They are incredible parents who always put their children above all else. Both have taken multiple leaves of absence from work as they care for their little girl. Even with insurance coverage, the bills piled-up including deductibles, medication, travel expenses, food, mortgage, utilities, and now funeral services. This Go Fund Me account is being set up to assist this wonderfully deserving family and all the efforts they made in providing Ava such a wonderful life for 7 years. Proceeds and donations collected will go into the Doug Ruyle Benefit fund. If you would like to join family and friends in honor of Ava, there will also be a Corn Hole Tournament Benefit on April 9, 2017. Please follow us on Facebook at Prayer Chain For Sweet Ava for more information.
Ava Margaret Ruyle was born two weeks early on July 30, 2009. She is the daughter of Douglas and Christina (Macher) Ruyle. Ava has two younger brothers, Gage (2 years old) and Layne (11 months old). At birth Ava appeared to be a very healthy 4 lbs. 13 oz. beautiful baby girl. The night before going home, Ava had a difficult time passing the car seat test. She was transferred the next day to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Soon after being admitted to the NICU, AVA was transferred to the Cardiac ICU. Ava was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect, HLHS, along with other heart issues. Ava underwent 3 major palliative surgeries for HLHS at the early ages of 10 days, 6 months, and 3 years old, as Ava lives with only half of her heart. Since the surgeries, Ava has had procedures to keep the initial surgeries functioning, including 8 cardiac catherizations involving stents and balloons. She has been hospitalized several times with what should be normal childhood illnesses or procedures. Even Ava’s dental work had to be performed by a pediatric specialist as St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Luckily she was there for her dental work because she coded while getting four caps placed. Even with all the bumps in the road she lived her life like any other little girl with few limitations.
In April of 2016, Ava was diagnosed with a very rare disease, Evans Syndrome. Evans Syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which an individual’s antibodies attack his/her own red blood cells and platelets. This disease is triggered by flu, strep, antibiotics and the list goes on. This disease required Ava to go to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for bi-weekly blood draws and monthly appointments with her hematologist oncologist, renal specialist, and immunologists as well as regular visits with her cardiologist. Since diagnosis, Ava had been hospitalized four times with Evans Syndrome relapse. Ava’s most recent hospitalization required a cardiac cath due to fluid building up in the lungs and a drainage tube. An existing stent was ballooned and stretched successfully. Upon further examination it was found her last surgery at the age, was failing. The only choice of treatment was medication unless at some point she became a transplant candidate. She was also treated for acute kidney injury with dialysis and medications. Different medications were being trialed to help Ava battle Evans Syndrome and the multiple organs it was now affecting. Unfortunately, sweet Ava passed away on March 13, 2017. She fought hard, strong and proud and is now a beautiful angel in heaven.
As previously mentioned, Doug and Christina Ruyle are the proud parents of Ava, Gage and Layne. Dough is an electrician (Local 649) and Christina is a registered nurse (Alton Memorial Hospital). They are incredible parents who always put their children above all else. Both have taken multiple leaves of absence from work as they care for their little girl. Even with insurance coverage, the bills piled-up including deductibles, medication, travel expenses, food, mortgage, utilities, and now funeral services. This Go Fund Me account is being set up to assist this wonderfully deserving family and all the efforts they made in providing Ava such a wonderful life for 7 years. Proceeds and donations collected will go into the Doug Ruyle Benefit fund. If you would like to join family and friends in honor of Ava, there will also be a Corn Hole Tournament Benefit on April 9, 2017. Please follow us on Facebook at Prayer Chain For Sweet Ava for more information.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lauren Marie
Organizer
Fenton, MO
Christina Ruyle
Beneficiary
