Juan Avila lost his wife to cancer two years ago, and now his 10-year-old daughter, a 5th grader at Altus Intermediate School, is battling stage 3 lymphoma. She has been taking chemo treatments in Oklahoma City and suffered a stroke earlier this week. Blood thinners being used to treat the clot in her brain has caused further complications, and she is now in ICU.
Once the current round of medical problems are at bay, she will have to continue once-a-week treatments in Oklahoma City because local area centers do not treat children. There is a bus that transports little Teresa to OKC, but her 16-year-old sister that has been taking a lot of her time to help in her care is considered a minor and cannot ride with her on the bus. Teresa’s dad can’t ride on the bus with her either because he is disabled, and little Teresa cannot be expected to ride the bus on her own and get herself to treatment.
Mr. Avila is in a wheelchair and suffers from diabetes.
At the moment, the Avila family is relying on various friends and family members to help get Teresa to treatments, but further regular reliable transportation is going to be needed in the weeks and months ahead.
Although many people are worrying about providing for their own families this holiday, one of Teresa’s teachers said the Avila family is really struggling and any help that the community can give would be appreciated.
One way to help is by dropping off a donation at Mid First Bank. You can also contact Teresa’s aunt Yolanda at 471-4777.
Immediate needs for the family include money, food, gas cards for weekly transportation to Oklahoma City for chemo, comfortable clothing for the family. SIZES: girls 14-16, juniors 15-16, mens XL shirts and L pants, and many prayers.
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