Ava Paige Williams is in need of a heart transplant.
The 8-year-old Manteca girl was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – the left side of her heart was not formed properly and is very small, affecting normal blood flow – and is staying at UCSF.
She also has Heterotaxy Syndrome, meaning that her internal organs are abnormally arranged, her heart is upside down. Williams has two right lungs and no spleen, making her immunocompromised.
She’s had four major open-heart surgeries, including the first one at six weeks old and a second at nine months.
In September 2020, Ava Williams had her third open-heart surgery, which put her on life support for a week. She remained hospitalized for an additional five weeks, and lost may of her cognitive and physical skills in the aftermath – Williams had to learn to walk and talk again while relearning her letters and numbers, according to the family.
In November 2023, she had her fourth open-heart surgery. That following February, she was hospitalized and diagnosed with plastic bronchitis, a lymphatic flow disorder that causes severe respiratory issues.
A month later – March 2024 – Williams was diagnosed with a second-degree heart block (the electrical signals in her heart were interrupted, causing an irregular or slower heart beat).
She’s currently a second-grade student at Shasta Elementary School and has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since last July.
Several fundraisers are in the works to help Ava and her family including the Kicking a Cure Game on Friday, Jan. 31, at Guss Schmiedt Field. The Manteca High girls soccer team will host Lathrop High in this annual fundraiser match beginning at 6:45 p.m.
“The Kicking for a Cure Game has traditionally been a chance to bring local awareness and hope to the fight against cancer while also supporting a student in our community,” said MHS soccer coach Justin Coenenberg. “However, we have decided to change our direction away from cancer this year to simply help a Manteca child in need.”
He noted that the money raised will help defray the cost for Ava Williams and her parents during these challenging times.
“With her facing surgery for a heart transplant and the potential for an extended hospital stay, ongoing medical appointments, and follow-up care, her parents and family are faced with a significant financial burden,” said Coenenberg, who recently addressed the MHS Athletic Boosters for their support.
He added: “Together, we can all make a difference for Ava, her family, and people everywhere who have been touched by childhood illness.”
For more information or to make a donation, call 209.608.0652.
