Young Sparrow needs help from Sisters

For much of 2010, the Walker family of Redmond had much to celebrate. After nearly three years of treatment, seven-year-old Avrey Walker had, by all counts, triumphed over her cancer.

"We thought we had it beat," says Avrey's dad, Aaron Walker.

But then December ushered in disappointment and devastation.

"I came back from a hunting trip and looked at my little girl. I knew it in my heart that it was back."

Avrey is now back at her old stomping grounds, Doernbecker Children's Hospital in Portland, in the throes of an extra-aggressive two-year chemo regimen. Her diagnosis: a reoccurrence of the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) that first ambushed her at the age of four.

"The chemo hits her pretty hard," Aaron reports. "They're being more aggressive, giving her substantial amounts of different types this time."

He's a father daily tormented by events beyond his control. "I can't throw a punch at it (the cancer). It's a helpless feeling."

Aaron, who works at All-American Fire and Restaurant Service in Redmond, commutes back and forth to Portland, where his wife Christal must stay with Avrey. The couple also has a 14-year-old daughter, Madison.

"Things are tough with my wife not able to work. Times aren't the best anyway," Walker says.

The Sparrow Club at Sisters High School took up the family's cause and is creating opportunities for the local community to lighten the Walkers' load.

Already businesses and residents have begun to answer the call.

"The community responded to our letter to the editor (The Nugget, March 29, 2011), and the leadership class will be granting us $300 from a Community 101 Grant," says SHS Sparrow Club Advisor Sally Taylor-Pillar.

"This totals over $4,000 and gives the Sparrow Clubs USA the total amount needed for the community sponsorship for Avrey, which allows us to officially begin our project. We send out a huge thank you to all of the community members who donated to the sponsorship!"

On Tuesday, May 10, the club will host "Soup for a Sparrow," hoping to repeat the success of last year's event. Again this time, soup will be served up in one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls created by local

artisans.

Last year, the handmade bowls sold out in the first 10 minutes. SHS art students and other local potters are busy at work, determined to fashion enough bowls for the event.

Student entertainment, a silent auction and dessert will round out the evening. Donations are needed from merchants to make the silent auction a success.

Samantha Williamson, SHS Sparrow Club president, says they decided to give the event "a jungle theme this year because Avrey likes animals."

"I think it'll be a hit because the community likes to get involved with this," she said.

After getting a late start on fundraising because of an initial lack of sponsors, the club is banking on this one event to make a difference for the Walker Family.

"We really need a big turnout, because it's so close to the end of the school year," says Williamson.

In the meantime Avrey, who recently spent her eighth birthday in the hospital, brings spunk and spirit to her latest bout.

"She's a fighter for sure," says her dad.

"She's very tough, tenacious and smart. She loves animals, catching bugs, frogs, lizards, and fishing. When we go camping she's not afraid to bring a big old snake back to camp and say 'Look what I got!'"

After Avrey's cancer was knocked out the first time, doctors gave her an 80 percent chance of remaining cancer-free. Now that the disease has returned they call it 50 percent.

Says Aaron, "At least we have a fighting chance."

He says that in times like this, "You find out the hard way what's important. You just want to get your daughter back to healthy and back to a normal life."

In the midst of his anguish, the community's support for his family has been a bright spot.

"It's the light that lights the path. It means a lot for the community to say 'We're here for you.'

"It's a strange position to be in - having to accept help. But we're just happy to be living where people really show they care. Because otherwise it's a path you walk alone."

For more information or to make a donation, contact Sally Taylor-Pillar at the high school, 541-549-4045, or email [email protected]