Just a few days ago, I wrote and published an article about a beautiful little fighter by the name of Ava London Doiron-Frankland. As I previously stated, Ava had been fighting glioblastoma for the past 30 months of her life. With a heavy heart, I have to tell you that our little #brAVA has passed on, and earned her angel wings.
Ava London Doiron-Frankland died peacefully on Monday, June 20, at 4:38 p.m., surrounded by her beloved daddies, Jeff Frankland and Mike Doiron, Sierra Boardman, and many of her favorite stuffed animals.
Her father, Jeff, wrote in his Facebook post notifying Ava’s Army of her passing:
“She fought very hard throughout this 30-month battle with glioblastoma and it was time for her body to be free of this monster cancer that has taken her away from us. Her smile was infectious, and her pure innocence to persevere through the pain and struggle was extraordinary.
"We would like to thank our 'Army' of supporters who opened your hearts to our family. We simply could not have survived without the generosity that was shown to our family and most importantly the compassion and true love that surrounded Ava until the end.”
It truly was -- and is -- an army of supporters for not only Ava but her family. On the day of Ava’s passing, thousands of people posted on various social media platforms about little Ava. I noticed that most of them did not even know Ava personally, but instead through the Facebook page, Ava's Army. Yet, despite not knowing her, we all share an immense love for such an inspiring seven-year-old.
My heart breaks knowing that she has left behind her grieving family, but I know she is now pain-free, happy, and healthy in some place bigger than us, looking down on us all.
Cancer sucks. Plain and simple. It truly is an awful disease that takes the lives of the best people we know, including perfect little girls. I will never understand why it exists or why so many precious lives have been taken from us because of it. All I know is that our little Ava, who fought so long and hard in this seemingly endless battle, is finally free.
In her honor, I share a poem I wrote in 2013 after the loss of my childhood friend, Riley Wolf, of Bedford, N.H., to cancer. I know it does not match Ava perfectly, because Riley passed at the age of 15, and Ava passed at seven, but I will still share it regardless.
I remember when we were little,
doesn’t seem that long ago,
growing up together,
when time went by so slow.
There wasn’t anything to worry about,
not a care in the world,
and we would sing in your kitchen,
as we danced and we twirled.
We made blanket forts with pillows,
wrote stories on the floor,
drew works of art, took pictures,
and hung them on our doors.
But wasn’t this just yesterday?
When we were still so young?
And no one knew what the future held,
we were all just having fun?
Why is it already time, then?
Time for us to let you go?
How do I bring myself to say goodbye,
To someone just fifteen years old?
It was too hard to watch you suffer,
to watch you slowly fade away,
but our hearts were completely broken
as you fought so hard to stay.
Now I sit alone,
looking at the memories that we had,
and as the tears rush down my face,
I know I shouldn’t be so sad.
Because you’ve become an angel,
as beautiful as can be,
and if I just think of you,
I know you’re looking down on me.
Rest in peace Ava London Doiron-Frankland. July 22, 2008 – June 20, 2016.
Visitation hours are to be held Saturday, June 25, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, Mass. There will be a Celebration of Life on June 26 at 11 a.m. at Windham High School, 64 London Bridge Road, Windham, N.H. We request that everyone wear bright colors and that all children or the “young at heart” wear princess, character, or superhero costumes to honor Ava’s bravery. A reception will follow the service and all are welcome to stay and celebrate Ava’s life with the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
brAVA Memorial Fund
Santander Bank
PO Box 32
Windham, NH 03087
