If numbers were any indication of support, Avery’s Bravery Race at the conservation area here last Saturday was a community success.
Hundreds participated in the fourth annual run organized by the Bond family to raise money for services provided by the Hospital for Sick Children, which performed life saving heart surgery on their daughter Avery when she was just 13 days old.
Randy and Christine Bond decided to organize the race four years ago after the surgery to raise funds and show their appreciation for the work done at the Toronto hospital.
Avery’s older sister Taylor, and now Avery, have become involved in the race.
Shortly after Avery was born, Randy said, the couple discovered her legs were turning purple. Doctors at Sick Kids immediately decided on surgery to correct a narrowing of her main aortic valve. It was a surgery “that saved her life,” Randy said prior to the race start on Saturday.
“We took her home two weeks later and (today) she’s absolutely fine.”
Christine estimates Saturday’s race brought in about $7,000, bringing the total raised over four years to $26,000.
Avery suffers from Turner Syndrome (TS) which has stunted her growth and was the cause of the blood vein narrowing. Turner Syndrome is caused by chromosomes problems and affects one in every 2,500 girls. It can result in heart problems, hearing difficulties, high blood pressure and kidney problems.
Avery had been returning to Sick Kids for check-ups every three months and the family was recently told that check-ups will now take place every two years because of her strong health. She will also be starting school at Rockwood Centennial Public School this fall.
But Christine said Avery is already well known at the school after fundraising events were held there, which raised about $700.
“Rockwood is a truly amazing town to live in and for our kids to grow up in,” Christine said. “This community is unbelievable.”
She also thanked the 80 volunteers who assisted on the day of the race, along with sponsor support.
“None of this would have happened without them,” she said of the volunteers. “We could not do any of this without our sponsors.”
All events during the race, including face painting and games, were free for the children, something the Bond family has incorporated on the race days.
As a patient at Sick Kids, Avery receives beads to put on a bravery bead chain for each treatment she undergoes.
“This is her life story,” Christine said. “She goes through all these awful tests and she gets beads.”
“We have Sick Kids to thank because without them Avery wouldn’t be here.
“If the money we raise saves one child, that’s worth it,” the couple said.
