Local & Community
Community Rallies Behind Palm Desert Family as 5-Year-Old Ava Fights Leukemia
A Palm Desert family is reaching out to their community for support after their five-year-old daughter, Ava Golden, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia . Her parents, Eric and Kayla Golden, were shocked when Ava woke up one night complaining of leg pain, which led to a devastating diagnosis.
Ava, a bright and cheerful young girl, has now embarked on a long and challenging journey of treatment. The diagnosis will require extensive care, and her family is already facing numerous challenges.
Kayla, a teacher at Palm Springs Unified School District, and Eric, an operating engineer for Granite Construction, are both trying to balance their professional lives while being there for Ava during her treatment. Kayla will need to be with Ava throughout her treatment at the pediatric hospital in Fontana, and they worry about her insurance coverage during this time.
Friends and community members who know the Golden family have already begun to rally around them in this time of need. One local friend said, “Ava is such a delightful little five-year-old, and this disease she has is so horrible. She just needs a lot of treatment for a long time, and the financial support from the community will help ease some of the pressure they are feeling right now.”
The Golden family is facing not only the emotional stress of watching their daughter battle cancer but also the financial strain of medical bills, and travel expenses Local friends are urging others to contribute to a GoFundMe campaign that has been set up to help cover these costs.
“We want to take the financial worry off their plate so they can focus on Ava’s treatment and recovery,” a friend shared. “The community support means the world to them, and anything we can do to lighten their burden will make a huge difference.”
If you would like to support Ava and her family during this difficult time, Follow the link to donate to Ava's GoFundMe campaign.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 3, 2025
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