The Club I Never Planned to Join
How A Father Found Community After His Daughter’s Cancer Diagnosis
Ava is a gregarious nine-year-old with dreams of being a singer, a Child Life Specialist, or even working for Connor’s Heroes. The last two ideas were born from her own childhood cancer experience, which began just after she turned four.
For several weeks, her dad Brian and mom, Kassi, worried about Ava’s random vomiting, localized headaches, and sudden tiredness. At Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) where doctors ordered a CT scan to make sure it wasn’t “the scary stuff.”
On September 5, 2021, life for the Thomas family forever changed.
“Even with masks on, we could tell from the doctors’ faces that the news was not going to be good,” says Brian.
Ava was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Surgery completely removed the tumor, but intensive treatment followed: weeks of daily chemotherapy and proton radiation in Washington, D.C., then high-dose inpatient chemotherapy at CHoR.
She Felt Like A Superstar!
Connor’s Heroes was one of the first organizations to offer support. Brian saw that every gift card, toy, meal, and gas card was given with thought for Ava and the family’s unique needs and interests. “Connor’s Heroes was a supportive and grounding presence during a very chaotic and challenging time for our family,” he says.
One of the Thomas family’s most memorable Connor’s Heroes experiences came after treatment, when Ava was honored at the annual Heroes Art Ball in 2023.
“It was one of the first moments out of treatment where we were able to enjoy a great evening and leave the constant worry behind,” says Brian. “Ava felt like a superstar!”
Ava Has One Dream
Today, Ava is a fourth grader who loves swimming, singing, dancing, softball, squishy toys, Roblox, Taylor Swift, and Stranger Things.
“Being able to watch Ava live life and do normal kid things five years after we received her devastating diagnosis is something I will never take for granted,” says Brian.
For Brian and Kassi, Connor’s Heroes has meant more than financial support. It is a community who cares about their family through treatment, recovery, and survivorship.
“Being a cancer parent is not a club I planned to be a part of, but it is one of the most supportive groups of people I have ever encountered,” says Brian. “For a community who experiences unfathomable levels of loss and tragedy, there is a hope that remains because all of us have been pushed, at some point, to a place where hope was all we had left.”
Ava has plenty of dreams. But one is bigger than all the others.
“My dream is never having cancer again.”
AUTHOR: Michelle Nunnally
This year marks 20 years that Connor’s Heroes has been a part of the community. Connor’s Heroes is dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it. Our mission is to build a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support. 📲 Make a gift / 🦸 Support a Hero / 🧑🧑🧒🧒 Join us.
