Going through treatment for an aggressive illness like cancer is tough at any stage of your life, but it is particularly hard as a child.
Luckily, Ava Garcia had a little guardian angel to help her after she was diagnosed with cancer of the kidneys in August 2014.
After beginning her treatment at a hospital in Texas, the four-year-old met Penny Smith (3) who had been battling skeletal muscle cancer since May of that same year.
According to The Huffington Post, the pair became firm friends and Ava’s mother Christina described her chemotherapy sessions as “like a playdate” due to the bond between the two little girls, adding that she had not been afraid when losing her hair as she had a friend who looked just like her.
Tragically, while Ava is now in remission, Penny has now been told she has just weeks to live.
“They are best friends through tragedy but they found each other and they’re going to hold on to each other for as long as possible,” said Christina.
“Penny got to enjoy having a best friend. Ava got to enjoy that and Penny will forever be in our hearts and we will always remember her.”
Both families are now fundraising, with Ava’s parents seeking to cover her medical bills and Penny’s parents trying to raise money to allow her father to leave work and spend the next few weeks with the three-year-old. You can find more information here.
