“Stay Strong, Be Brave because there are more ups than downs,” Avila would repeat to herself
Avila is not your average 12-year-old. Her smile lights up a room, and her laughter is infectious. But behind that bright smile lies a story of incredible strength, resilience and courage. Before her 12th birthday, Avila had already faced leukemia twice—and her journey at Rady Children’s Hospital is nothing short of extraordinary.
When Avila was first diagnosed with leukemia at just 7 years old, her parents, Lailani and Mark, and Avila’s three siblings, were devastated. Mark shares, “I felt afraid and worried; I knew her life would never be the same.” Despite the crushing news, the family knew they had to stay strong for Avila, even as they struggled to accept the potential prognosis. “We had to do all we could to help her through this. When you’re in the hospital, you can experience great loneliness. We had to find a way to keep her spirits up,” Lailani shares.
Throughout her treatment, Avila found solace in music—a passion that would become her lifeline. “Music and singing became more than just a distraction for her; they were a source of strength,” said Lailani. “Being able to have her music and to write her songs greatly therapeutic for her emotionally. And so that was a big thing with her and her dad, bringing in the guitar for her or ukulele or a little keyboard.” Avila’s father, Mark, would often bring musical instruments to her hospital room, where he and Avila would play, filling the halls with melodies that brought smiles to all the children on the floor—a mini-concert that lifted everyone’s spirits, especially Avila’s. Music gave Avila something to look forward to and helped her cope with long, difficult days of treatment.
After many months of grueling treatment, supported by her incredible medical team at Rady Children’s, Avila finally entered the final phase of treatment. The family was overjoyed. “When we were given an end date, it was like having the finish line at our fingertips,” said Lailani.
But just when they thought their nightmare was nearly over, the unthinkable happened. Doctors discovered cancer cells growing again. Before she could complete treatment, Avila had to start all over from square one.
“We were already planning a celebration for her. Instead, a ‘reset button’ was pushed. So much of her childhood was robbed from her, and yet more would be taken away. It was tough news to stomach,” Lailani shared. Avila was shocked, scared and sad to receive the second diagnosis. She didn’t know what intense treatment meant. “Stay Strong, Be Brave because there are more ups than downs,” Avila would repeat to herself. “When I look at Avila she inspires me,” Lailani shares. “I’m always in awe of her. She faces so many different hurdles and difficult moments. But to see her overcome them and finally say, ‘Okay, I got this.’ shows the incredible strength of our daughter.”
The treatment and care journey was even more difficult the second time around, but Avila’s passion for music and giving back to others helped her push through. “Music was her therapy,” Lailani shares. “She started writing her own songs, pouring all her emotions into the lyrics. One of those songs was about her experience with cancer, and it became a powerful outlet for her feelings.” Avila’s song touched the hearts of many, and she even had the opportunity to perform it with famous musicians Jason Mraz, Switchfoot and Robin Thicke. “It was incredible to see her on stage, sharing her story through music,” recalls Lailani. “It was her way of turning something painful into something beautiful. I love to see her flourish like that and do good in the world. She’s grown so much because of these experiences.”
Today, Avila is finally in remission, and her family couldn’t be more thankful. “We are so incredibly proud of her. She has been through so much, but she never gave up. Music and the support of everyone at Rady Children’s gave her the strength she needed,” Lailani shares tearfully. “Now she gets to raise awareness for other kids with cancer that are in need by sharing and using her gifts.”
Avila is now focused on using her love of music to inspire others. She dreams of one day becoming a musician and continuing to give back to the community that supported her through her darkest days. “I always tell her that she is the voice for other kids that cannot speak for themselves. She represents all the kids in hospital that are not able to share their stories,” says Lailani. “Her journey has taught us that even in the toughest of times, hope, love and a little bit of music can make all the difference. We are forever grateful to Rady Children’s and everyone who supported us along the way.”
