Two-Year-Old Ava Loses Her Eye to Cancer and Becomes a Star in Cancer Research’s Awards

Ava Bird, a courageous two-year-old from Port Talbot, is a shining example of bravery after undergoing surgery to remove her right eye due to a rare form of eye cancer called retinoblastoma. Diagnosed in November of the previous year, Ava’s fight against cancer has inspired her family and many others, as her mother, Vicki, raises awareness about the critical signs and symptoms of this life-threatening condition.

Retinoblastoma primarily affects children under five and can be detected through a white glow in the eye, particularly in low light or in photos taken with a flash. Vicki first noticed Ava’s “lazy eye” during her first year and raised concerns with the health visitor, but nothing significant came of it at the time. It wasn’t until Ava was 14 months old, while suffering from hand, foot, and mouth disease, that Vicki noticed her daughter’s iris had darkened, and her pupil was not dilating properly. After further visits to the GP, Ava was referred to Morriston Hospital, where scans revealed a cancerous mass behind her eye, reported by Yahoo.

Vicki recalled the overwhelming moment when the consultant delivered the devastating news: “When the consultant told me, I couldn’t deal with the information and left the room. All I kept thinking was, ‘how long have I got left with her? Is she going to survive?’ I was blindsided by the diagnosis.”

The diagnosis revealed that Ava had been blind in her affected eye since birth, something her parents hadn’t noticed as she had adapted to it. The family was referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where they learned the tumor was the most aggressive form of retinoblastoma. “The tumour was 22mm and we were advised that surgery to remove her eye would be the best option,” Vicki said.

Just days before Ava’s surgery, Vicki and her husband, Ian, were scheduled to get married. The couple went ahead with the wedding, despite the looming surgery. “It was a beautiful and emotional day, but at the back of our minds, we were thinking of Ava’s surgery,” Vicki added.

Ava’s surgery to remove her eye took place three days after her parents’ wedding. She now wears prosthetic eyes, though she is not fond of them and often removes them playfully. Vicki shared, “Ava has had six or seven prosthetic eyes so far. Ava isn’t too keen on wearing them and she often takes it out and throws it across the room!”

Now over a year since her surgery, Ava is thriving and was chosen to launch Cancer Research’s Star Awards in Wales. “Ava was really chuffed with her Star trophy and we’re so proud that she’s launching the awards in Wales this year,” Vicki said. The Star Awards, backed by celebrities like Jean-Christophe Novelli and Dr. Ranj, recognize children diagnosed with cancer and their remarkable resilience.

Vicki is passionate about raising awareness of retinoblastoma and encourages parents to check for signs, stating, “What I have learned since Ava’s diagnosis is that I could have asked for medical advice a lot earlier if only I knew the signs. Retinoblastoma is life-changing but can be detected at home.”

While Ava’s journey has been challenging, Vicki emphasized, “It’s been a tough year and we appreciate the special moments a lot more now.” With growing awareness and research, there’s hope for more children like Ava, as Cancer Research UK continues to improve survival rates for childhood cancers.