My baby sister, Avery, was only 3 when she was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I was a senior in high school, enjoying football games and hanging out with friends. I had no idea everything would change in a single weekend.
Earlier that week, Avery had fallen out of bed and ended up with a bruise. It didn’t seem like much at first, but then came the ear infection and fever. By Friday, when the fever spiked and wouldn’t break, mom took her to our local hospital in Bowling Green. The results from Avery’s bloodwork revealed an elevated white blood cell count of 46,000 [or about three times higher than the top of the normal range].
The next morning, Avery was transferred to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville for further testing.
I was at lunch with a friend when I got the call: Avery had cancer. I felt my stomach drop. My baby sister? Cancer? It didn’t make sense. I’d never known anyone with cancer before.
The next few days were a blur of tests, tears and FaceTime calls. I couldn’t be at the hospital because of COVID-19 restrictions, but I saw her little face on the screen — pale but smiling.
Avery spent a lengthy time in the hospital after her diagnosis in August 2021. B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow that primarily affects immature white blood cells. It’s the most common type of leukemia in children.
The physicians and nurses were amazing. Nurse Anita [Cambron] even made sure we could FaceTime whenever Avery wanted. Despite everything, Avery found joy. She loved the playroom, the puppy pals [Heel, Dog, Heal facility dogs] and the doctor who always wore silly costumes.
“Unicorn balloons!” she’d squeal.
Her team at Norton Children’s Cancer Institute was exceptional. My parents had full trust and faith in the treatment plan laid out for my little sister. Avery participated in a clinical trial we called the “backpack trial” — designed to release medicine continuously over 28 days, reducing side effects. It was a continuous infusion of blinatumomab.
The “backpack trial,” or rather AALL1731 in technical terms, was a Phase 3 clinical trial. Per Avery’s team, the trial was an overwhelming success in helping kids stay cancer-free much longer. Now, blinatumomab is part of the standard treatment for most children with the same diagnosis.
Her last chemo was in October 2023, and her port was removed in January 2024. When she finally came home, I hugged her so tightly.
“You’re my hero,” I whispered.
And she just smiled with those big brown eyes.
Today, Avery is in remission. She has routine checkups and labs every two months. In January, they will move to every three months until the fifth anniversary of her diagnosis.
We still do TikTok dances. We swim. We play board games. I am excited for Avery’s future. I know she will continue to do great things impacting others along the way.
I tried to be strong for everyone. I was the face of our family while mom and dad were at the hospital. It wasn’t easy, but I was proud to be that person. Proud to be her big sister.
“She’s so brave,” people say. And they’re right.
Avery’s bravery has been undeniable with each visit to Norton Children’s with all her appointments, labs and treatments. Today, she walks into each routine checkup with confidence and complete resilience. Avery’s team of doctors and nurses over the years has given our family peace. Thank you, Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, for giving my little sister the best possible care.