Avery Kirchmann

Avery was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor, a type of kidney cancer, at 10 months old. After the removal of her kidney and chemotherapy treatment at CHEO (the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario), unfortunately the other kidney developed similar cancer cells and had to be partially resected when Avery was 3. A complex surgery was performed at Sick Kids Hospital and after another full round of chemo, Avery had a successful outcome retaining about 70% of her original kidney, which has grown to full adult size. The future is bright and Avery’s health is excellent.

Now 17 years old, Avery is a successful grade 11 student at Ashbury College. She was recently offered a position on the Ottawa Fusion competitive volleyball team and enjoys the vigorous training schedule and tournaments. She also walked the runway last year as one of the models showcasing local designers for the large annual Runway for Hope Ottawa fundraiser in support of CHEO. Avery is a KidsCan Youth Advisor at CHEO to help guide hospital policy and provide suggestions to improve the experience for other children. When not busy with all these other things, she is an enthusiastic babysitter and chief groomer for her horse-loving sister Sage at competitive eventing shows. She also happens to be Neville’s granddaughter!