In Support of Mariah Avila
Support Registry
Browse all the options to help, in one place.
There are some stories that are difficult to tell because it’s impossible to fit years of heartbreak, devastation and perseverance into a few short paragraphs.
Mariah’s is one of those stories.
I have known Mariah and her family for many years and I have watched them walk through something no family should ever have to endure.
In 2013, at only 9 years old, Mariah was diagnosed with multiple cancerous brain tumors. She went through a year of chemotherapy and 30 grueling rounds of radiation.
The cancer treatments that saved her life also left her with devastating complications.
Severe swelling in her brain caused a slow decline in her physical abilities until she eventually lost the ability to care for herself. In an effort to control the swelling, she was given extremely strong steroids, which caused significant bone deterioration.
She ultimately needed two total hip replacements and may face additional joint replacements in the future.
She ultimately needed two total hip replacements and may face additional joint replacements in the future.
She has also experienced cognitive impairment, heart weakening, early-onset menopause requiring hormone replacement and other lasting health complications from her cancer treatments.
Today, Mariah is a cancer survivor - but for her & her family, the journey did not end when the treatments ended.
She requires assistance with virtually every part of daily life: getting dressed, eating, using the bathroom, transferring, getting from place to place and much more. She cannot be left alone.
Her mom left her full-time career to become her full-time caregiver, which understandably changed their family’s financial situation dramatically.
And then there is something many of us probably don’t think twice about:
Transportation.
For most families, transportation means simply getting from Point A to Point B.
For Mariah, transportation means access to doctors and specialists.
It means seeing family & friends.
It means participating in activities.
It means having the opportunity to experience life outside of the walls of her home - each of these playing a vital role in her mental wellbeing.
It means seeing family & friends.
It means participating in activities.
It means having the opportunity to experience life outside of the walls of her home - each of these playing a vital role in her mental wellbeing.
Because there are so few programs available for people with Mariah’s level of physical disability her family has worked incredibly hard to make sure she can still live as full a life as possible.
They had a used wheelchair-accessible van that has made that possible but it recently broke down and is no longer reliable.
They desperately need a reliable accessible vehicle to continue meeting Mariah’s needs.
I have watched this family fight for Mariah for years. I have watched them navigate surgeries, treatments, setbacks, appointments, therapies, equipment and all of the things that come with caring for someone who needs around-the-clock assistance.
And now, they need help. Help from their local community & help from complete strangers.
One picture I’m sharing here is Mariah using her standing machine to read Hope Heals 🥺. It is one small glimpse into what everyday life looks like for her, and for the people who care for her.
This isn’t about giving Mariah something extra.
It’s about giving her a way to get where she needs to go.
It’s about helping her family have a safe, reliable way to transport her.
It’s about giving this incredible survivor the opportunity to continue getting out into the world and living the fullest life possible.
If you can donate, please do.
If you can’t, sharing this fundraiser could be just as important! You never know who might see it and know an individual, a business, an organization or a family who can help us get Mariah the accessible van she desperately needs.
After everything this beautiful girl has already survived, I want to help make sure transportation isn’t the thing that keeps her from living her life.
Let’s get Mariah back on the road. ❤️
- Choose from Support Registry options
- 'Share' to Spread the Word to family and friends
- 'Follow' Updates to stay informed
Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
Gift Cards
- Created Aug 19, 2026
- •
- Disability
- Report Support Registry
Support Registry
Browse all the options to help, in one place.
Words of Support
Donate, send meals, or lend a hand to include words of support.
Anonymous about 13 hours ago • with donation
Ashley Rentz 1 day ago • with donation
Rebecca Dunsha 3 days ago • with donation
Natalie McCall 5 days ago • with donation
Anonymous 6 days ago • with donation
Anonymous 7 days ago • with donation