January 22, 2025
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Young IVAR donor fighting cancer again

Pennsylvania teen had raised $25K for animal shelters

By Tom Collins
From her sickbed, she raised $25,000 for animal shelters including Illinois Valley Animal Rescue. Now, she's sick again. Avery Sontheimer, now 15, revealed Tuesday her cancer has returned.

From her sickbed, Avery Sontheimer raised $25,000 for animal shelters including Illinois Valley Animal Rescue. Sontheimer, now 15, revealed Tuesday her cancer has returned. (submitted photo)

A Pennsylvania teen who donated money to Illinois Valley Animal Rescue, among numerous other shelters, from her sickbed is once again fighting cancer.

Avery Sontheimer, who recently turned 15, warmed many hearts in 2020 when she launched a fundraiser and used the proceeds to mail $5 gift cards to animal shelters across the United States. Avery was at that time battling Ewing sarcoma, a cancer affecting the bones or adjoining tissue, but managed to donate to 3,000 shelters.

IVAR was among the many recipients. Chris Tomsha, executive director, was moved to tears by Avery’s donation and sent out prayer requests for her recovery. The prayers seemed to work: Avery reported last spring she was in remission.

Now, the cancer is back.

“As most of you know Avery has been cancer free for nine months but unfortunately she had scans today and the cancer is back again in her lungs,” read a Tuesday post on Avery’s Facebook page, Avery’s Pawsitive Change.

According to the post, Avery will undergo lung surgery next week followed by more chemotherapy.

“Please say prayers for Avery to have the strength to fight this horrible cancer again,” read the post. “We need all the prayers we can get.”

There, Tomsha said, she need not worry: IVAR supporters will be asked to lend their voices for a full recovery.

“I’m praying that all will be good,” Tomsha said. “Even at her the worst of her illness she showed a lot of heart — I can’t even talk.”

The GoFundMe page that Avery launched no longer is accepting donations, but the link shows she raised more than $25,000 — a remarkable total for a girl stricken with cancer at age 13.

Avery wasn’t available Wednesday for comment on her setback. She had stated previously her dream is to open a shelter in an underserved area of northwest Pennsylvania, where she makes her home.

“I love helping animals,” Avery said previously. “I was hoping by sending gift cards to shelters I could help just a little and also an encouraging letter because animal shelter life is not easy.”