Ava's father, a St. Jude patient, remarked, "We knew she was a thorn in her side." Her resiliency, tenacity, toughness, and scrappiness that I didn't know she possessed came out of her. She's been a superstar, I believe."

Ava developed malignant tumors in her brain and spine, as well as metastatic medulloblastoma. Her treatment approach at St. Jude includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy in addition to chemotherapy. Ava, dubbed "Rockstar," has completed her therapy and is spending time with her family.