By KRISTI MAYFIELD
kmayfield@oakdaleleader.com
Children can bring so much joy and love into our lives while asking for nothing in return, which is why it is so heartbreaking when one of them falls ill. The upcoming HOW (Helping One Woman) Dinner, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Oakdale Event Center, 335. N. Eighth Ave., will honor a very special local family that is facing some tough circumstances. In December of 2024, Kendra Spence and Chris Garcia received some devastating news: their daughter Averie, a bright and curious little girl was diagnosed with a Stage IV Wilms Tumor, a childhood cancer that primarily effects the kidneys but can spread to the lungs, liver, brain, bones and lymph nodes.
“She is taking it better than we are, she is so resilient,” said Spence when referring to her daughter’s strength.
Averie, who just turned four last month, recently had surgery to remove some of the cancer and will begin another round of chemotherapy and radiation this month. And though she still has some challenging days ahead she is anxious to get back to the activities she loves which include visiting cows and horses out in the country and riding dirt bikes.
“She is just so much fun and she is very outgoing, her laugh is contagious,” added her mom.
Spence and her family have been touched by all of the support from their family members, friends and neighbors. This dinner, which is sponsored by Kendra’s sister Kayla and friend and neighbor, Seabre Dillard, will be the second HOW Dinner in Oakdale and both Kayla and Seabre are hoping that it will bring some much-needed assistance to this young family.
“They’re such wonderful, giving people so we knew we had to step up and help,” said Dillard.
A critical illness such as Averie’s brings with it a variety of expenses; any and all assistance for the family is welcome, whether it is through attendance at the HOW Dinner this month or just lending emotional or financial support. For more information about the HOW Dinner and Averie’s journey, visit: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=how%20dinner
