Spreading her sunshine 

By Alissa Poole | Young at Heart

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Even while undergoing treatment for leukemia, Ava Lester is thinking about others. Whether she’s playing musical selections on the grand piano in CHoR’s Sky Lobby or sharing encouraging remarks at last year’s Hyundai Hope on Wheels event, the 11-year-old is mature beyond her years. 

“Ava is passionate about sharing encouragement on a day-to-day basis,” said her mom, Rachel. “When she spoke at the Hope on Wheels event, she realized she could stand up and encourage people to help fight childhood cancer. She enjoyed it so much, she told us she wanted to be part of future efforts to support the cause.” 

 

Her latest effort involves serving as the 2025 Anthem LemonAid Ambassador. In that role, she will represent CHoR during the weekend event where lemonade stands are set up across the region to benefit the hospital’s hematology and oncology services. This year, the 25th annual event is scheduled for July 18-20 and is expanding to Fredericksburg, Ava’s hometown.
 

Traveling to Richmond

"In March 2024, Ava began complaining about unusual bone pain in her ribs and hips that wasn’t going away. When Rachel and her husband, Noah, noticed Ava had a dark, abnormally-shaped bruise, they became concerned. 

Eight years earlier, Ava had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that mistakenly attacked and destroyed her body’s platelets and caused bruising and bleeding. When they discovered Ava’s unusual bruising, the Lesters made an appointment with her physician, assuming the disease had recurred. Instead, a blood test raised new concerns, eventually leading to a diagnosis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive bone marrow and blood cancer. 

Ava, Rachel and Noah initially spent five days at CHoR, where Ava began a regimented protocol of chemotherapy. As of March 2025, Ava had completed four rounds of chemotherapy and been admitted to the hospital multiple times. She’s spent approximately three of the last 12 months in the Children’s Tower, visiting the outpatient clinic for the rest of her treatments. Through all the ups and downs, Ava has made new friends and inspired others. 

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 “Ava loves being around people,” said Noah. “She’s not bothered by the hospital because of all the people there.”

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Shining her light 

Even when she’s feeling unwell or preparing for an uncomfortable procedure, Ava tries to bring joy to others. Through her clinic visits, Ava developed a special friendship with Tom, her nurse practitioner, who often compares his bald head to Ava’s during her chemo treatments. She laughed as she recalled a message she wrote on the bandage on her back to surprise her team before a bone marrow biopsy – “Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m going bald, and so are you!” When Ava lost her hair from chemotherapy, Tom shaved the rest of his head in solidarity, and the pair began wearing his and her hats that Ava knitted. 

Her parents call her “an old soul” and a “life-giving force.” She’s an artist; and a writer, and she loves being outside and with her family, including her older sister and younger brother. She loves the therapy dogs, music therapy and activities provided during her clinic and hospital stays and never misses an opportunity to share a compliment or meet someone new. 

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“I love talking with my nurses and doctors,” said Ava, who hopes to play the piano in one of her favorite nurse’s wedding this summer. “I’m curious about their training and ask about their interactions with others. I don’t just talk to them about my medical treatment.”

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Staying positive

As Ava waited for her latest test results this spring, she became emotional as she reflected on the last year and how she hopes to help others as LemonAid Ambassador. 

“It’s important to stay positive even when things are hard,” said Ava, who hopes to be a nurse practitioner when she’s older. “It’s going to be tough so you can’t be sad all the time.” 

In addition to wanting to share tips to help other kids going through treatment, Ava hopes to help raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. 

Her parents couldn’t be more supportive of Ava’s efforts – and hope others will feel the same way. 

“When we came to CHoR, we felt like we entered a different world,” said Noah. “The level of connection and care has been unparalleled to any other health care journey I’ve had.” 
 

Rachel agreed. “CHoR makes this world feel as magical as it can for the kids. The team is always looking for ways to encourage and support to make the environment as child-like as possible.”

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