Ava – Lymphoma Cancer Survivor

Please click and drag the white arrows to see my underwater transformation.

My name is Ava Paige Rico and I’m 7 years old. I was born and raised in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 Lymphoma at the age of 4. My family said, “We don’t know what caused it but Ava was a real trooper during the whole thing, never once complaining about feeling bad or anything.”

I wanted to do a photo shoot in the pool and it was a great experience for me because I love water. I just want to learn how to swim better because I want to be like a mermaid!

I’m from this island so water means home to me. I love playing in the water after school and see the ocean everyday!

My grandma said I slept good that night. She said, “water tired her out and helped to get rid of a lot of excess energy, which she has plenty of. On a usual day, I have to fight to get her to lay down but after being in the water for a while she was tired and ready to relax.”

She also said, “Most definitely recommend this to other survivors because I could see from out side that when Ava was in the water, she was like being transformed into something entirely different. Water melts away stress and fatigue, nervousness and brings joy and happiness to a person. Ava was a little upset leaving the pool because she didn’t want to go home!”