Avery McCaskill was enjoying a typical childhood when her parents began noticing that something was not right.

Usually full of energy, Avery was suddenly sleeping through her favorite activities. Her mom, Sondra, noticed she had some unusual bruising. When Avery started clumsily running into furniture and began pointing out imaginary objects, her parents became alarmed and rushed her to a local emergency room.

Avery’s mom and dad will always remember that day. Less than an hour after arriving at the ER, Avery’s blood test revealed that she was suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Avery’s “acute” leukemia meant that it could progress quickly, and if not treated, would probably be fatal within a few months.

Her parents were absolutely devastated. They had no idea what to do or where to turn.

Shortly after the diagnosis, Avery’s parents were surprised to learn that there is a place dedicated solely to treating the sickest children, while delivering the highest quality care—Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

“I had no idea that there was such an amazing children’s hospital so close to our home,” recalled Sondra, “Family is everything to us and it meant the world to us knowing her hospitalizations and treatments could be close to home.”

The doctors at Golisano Children’s Hospital immediately started Avery on chemotherapy to combat her Leukemia. Though her cancer quickly went into remission, Avery still had to endure two and a half years of strenuous medical treatments including, weekly blood testing, blood and platelet

transfusions, and inpatient hospitalizations to battle infections and other side effects.

Avery finished her treatment in April of 2015, just in time to start Kindergarten with her friends. Today, at seven-years-old, Avery is as spunky and adorable as ever… and a cancer survivor!

Because of charitable gifts from our donors and friends like you, Golisano Children’s Hospital is a beacon of hope for families like Avery’s. Consider this—without charitable giving the Golisano Children’s Hospital could not keep its doors open and continue to provide the highest level of care to very sick children and premature babies.

AVERY'S STORY

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