The city of Bondurant showed up for Ava Hutchinson’s birthday party.
Despite Ava’s death due cancer Sept. 11 the community rallied to keep her birthday wish alive.
Just as she did a year prior Ava focused more on giving back than her own challenges. Ava’s story had reached people around the globe last year when she asked for cards filled with donations to help other patients at Des Moines’ Children’s Cancer Connection.
For her 12th birthday party Ava wanted to hold a blood drive.
“No matter what, this was going to happen, we were going to make this happen. That is what she asked for,” said Kris Hutchinson, Ava’s father. “Is it hard? Yes. Should she be here? Yes. I shouldn’t have had to bury her a week ago but I did.”
To celebrate her 11th birthday, Ava Hutchinson didn’t ask for presents. She asked for cards and donations to the Children’s Cancer Connection. Ava was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor earlier this year. Ava would have turned 12 on Sept. 13 but passed before then. For this year’s birthday she wanted a blood drive which was held Sept. 22 in Bondurant at Brick Street Market. LifeServe Blood Center help participants and arranged a full schedule of donors for the day. After donating blood participant were offered treats and beverages.
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