Canfield toddler battles leukemia

By Elise Franco

Friends and family said 1-year-old Ava can fight through her illness.

CANFIELD — Ava Timko is called “little star” by staff at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Her parents, Lori and Brad, say she’s outgoing and strong.

Ava, 1, of Canfield, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia Jan. 2, just four days before her first birthday.

Lori and Brad, both 33, of Canfield, have spent each day since at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where Ava is finishing her first round of chemotherapy.

Lori said when she and Brad took Ava to the doctor because of a string of flulike illnesses, they never expected the doctor’s diagnosis.

Afterward, Lori said they drove to Akron Children’s Hospital so treatment could begin.

“They did part of her chemo that night,” she said. “Then, since AML is so rare — they only see about 500 cases a year — and Cincinnati Children’s has two of the best AML doctors, they flew us to Cincinnati by helicopter.”

Lori said despite the unexpected news, and Ava’s 50-50 chance of being cured, she and her husband are trying to keep a positive outlook.

“We don’t know what’s to come, and that’s what’s difficult,” she said. “You have to take it day by day, and today she’s doing good.”

Lori said it’s easier for the couple to deal with everything because Ava is responding well to treatments.

“Because she’s doing well right now, it’s a little bit easier than if she were laying in bed and sick,” she said.

Reality set in slightly just a few days ago, when Lori said Ava began losing her hair.

“It’s shocking. It still doesn’t seem real,” she said. “In the last week or so, things are starting to set in a little bit more.”

Lori said so far Ava is in good physical condition and continues to play just as she would at home.

“She’s always smiling, very outgoing and strong,” she said. “She learned how to walk here in the hospital while she’s doing chemo.”

To help keep her daughter’s routine as normal as possible, Lori said Ava still plays and takes walks around the hospital.

“I think it’s a positive that she is too young to really know what’s going on,” she said. “We just try to play here and go for little walks in the hallway. The hospital is very good about trying to keep things normal.”

Lori’s aunt Suzanne Tucci, of Lowellville, said she feels Ava is strong enough to overcome the disease.

“She’s a tough little girl, and she’s going to get through this,” she said. “God has a special place for this little angel on Earth here.”

Tucci said support from friends, family and even those who don’t know the Timko family has been overwhelming.

“They certainly have a lot of people behind them through this,” she said.

Tucci said people from all over the country have left messages of prayer and hope on the family’s Web site www.caringbridge.org/visit/monkeygirl, which is dedicated to Ava and the documentation of her journey.

“Just from seeing the amount of people who have written into this Caring Bridge Web site ... the support is unbelievable,” she said. “They’ve gotten people writing in from all over to give them support and prayers. “

Lori’s friend and co-worker Dana Myers said she’s also been approached by strangers who want to help.

“It’s been amazing,” she said. “Complete strangers are willing to open their hearts and donate and do whatever they can.”

efranco@vindy.com