Avery Hamilton

In the beginning of May 2019, a large lump appeared on Avery’s neck. After monitoring the lump and multiple trips to the pediatrician, our nightmare became reality. On May 17, 2019, Avery Hamilton was diagnosed with and admitted to the hospital for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) and put immediately into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She was struggling to breathe due to a large cancerous mass pressing on her airway. It was on this day that Avery started the fight for her life. Since then, she has had multiple uncommon complications.

    Unfortunately, Avery did not have insurance initially. We are hoping that we can raise as much money as possible to help cover the medical expenses that never seem to stop accruing. Ask yourself, "Will I do ANYTHING FOR AVERY?"

About the Event:

Date: October 11th 2019

Time: 6pm-9pm

Activities:

• Dinner Provided by the unmatched and generous Bella's FRESH MEXICAN GRILL

***CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR DINNER TODAY***

• Bake Sale
• Silent/Live Auction
• Kid's Corner
• Balloon Launch

Location:

Organizing Committee Meetings!

Dear Anything For A Friend,                         June 23, 2019

I am thankful that you would consider to help Avery and her family. I have been friends with her father for about 30 years. The Hamilton family are more than just friends, they are family. We have known Avery her whole life. We love her and her sweet, spunky personality.

Avery has always been a people watcher. When she was younger her parents were worried because she wasn’t talking as much as some other children at her age. She understood everything and did anything you asked her but rarely whispered a word. One time my daughter who is just 10 months younger than Avery got hurt. Avery was the first to come running to get us to tell us she was hurt. She touched my wife and pointed and moved her cute, little feet up and down as fast as she could until we followed her. She ran to our hurt daughter and rubbed her back and said “Shhh, shhh.” Avery has a tender heart and cares for others.

Shortly after, she started talking and talking and talking. In fact, she loved to be in the center of the room and make people laugh. Not too long ago her favorite song was “It’s Raining Tacos.” She would sing it as loud as she could and everyone would laugh. She didn’t love the song as much as she liked to make people laugh. Avery has a very contagious laugh; she gets that from her mom. Once she starts laughing the whole room is filled with smiles and laughter.

Avery is definitely a sweetheart, but she most certainly has a spunky side as well. She has a spunky, feisty, and “I am going to get what I want” personality. With two older siblings, it’s impressive to see her determination in keeping up with them. At night Avery will peek around the corner holding her blanket hoping to sit on her daddy’s lap while we have a guy’s night watching a jazz game. She turned 3 in April and her mom had tried to potty train her, but Avery was stubborn. She knew how to go on the toilet and had done it several times but wanted to wear her diaper. In fact when her mom wanted her to wear her panties, she would put them on right on top of her diaper. Maybe it’s a good thing she did not get trained, because now the chemotherapy has made her so weak she cannot stand with her own strength.

Avery has a special place in our home that she immediately goes to when she walks through the door- the closet with the princess dresses. She likes the dresses, the jewels, the crowns, high heels and it’s extra special when she gets the dress with the matching gloves. She twirls and spins and wants her hair done too. Elsa is her favorite princess and in a lot of ways she has several of Elsa’s characteristics. She is beautiful, strong, loves her sister Hadlee (and brothers) with her whole heart, wants others to be happy, and will someday be an example to many, many people.

Avery is who she is largely because of her parents, so I want to say a word about them.  Tahnee is Avery’s mother and Lorrin is Avery’s father. Twenty years ago Lorrin’s father was suffering from cancer. Lorrin had chosen to serve a two-year mission for his church and he told me he was worried his father would not make it before he would return, but he chose to serve anyway. His father lived long enough to see Lorrin come home and get married. Later, when Lorrin’s father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer, I heard Lorrin say “I hate cancer.” That was the closest I’ve

ever heard him come to complaining. Avery’s leukemia came one year after her

younger brother, Koen, was diagnosed with what might be a life-long debilitating illness, Cerebral Palsy. I’ve been deeply touched by how this little family has come together and gone forward with hope and love.

Even with the dilemma of not having insurance, Lorrin and Tahnee’s complete focus has been on their family. Lorrin said to me “I just might have to make payments the rest of my life.” There has been no self pity, no asking for help, or “why me” mentality. They have shown true bravery in the face of this adversity, and so has Avery.

No little child deserves to be chosen over another for help from your foundation. We are thankful that there are people that care enough to help those in need. I know the Hamilton’s don’t feel entitled to receive help in any way. They are humble, hardworking people, and if chosen they will be sincerely grateful and when able, will find a way to pay it forward.

Sincerely,

Clint Knapp