Saturday Event to Benefit Toddler with Leukemia

Editor's note: The following is a news release from Somers Media.

On March 28, 2012, toddler Avery Hanel was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital with what her parents and doctor thought was the flu. More than seven months later, following 120 blood transfusions, six bone marrow biopsies and seven months of chemotherapy, Avery’s parents received the diagnosis: Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a blood cancer that would require a cord blood transplant.

Avery spent more than a year in the hospital, having her spleen removed and undergoing chemotherapy to prepare her tiny body for a cord blood transplant on May 30. All the while, her parents Alexandrea and Peter, were at their daughter’s side, getting what sleep and rest they could at Ronald McDonald house. In addition to agonizing about their daughter’s health, the Carlsbad couple feared the mountain of debt building from the never-ending stream of medical bills.

Friends, and now even strangers who have learned of the families struggle through social media, have rallied online and raised donations through www.gofundme.com/28B3KC.

This weekend, the community will ramp-up its support with a 12-hour benefit at the American Legion Post at 210 West F Street in Encinitas. The event includes a silent auction, raffle prizes, kid-friendly entertainment and food. Numerous bands will perform throughout the day including Graham Nancaro, Nena Anderson, Capt. Kirk’s Group, Hilltop Ramblers, H2Old, Dana Ralston, Dwayne Larson and more.

 For more information got to www.averythebrave.org.