Through their grief, Ava Ciampini’s family wants to focus on the legacy she leaves behind.
“She was so smart, so intelligent,” said her father Luca Ciampini. “Just funny, wanted you to laugh, did anything for a laugh. Laughed at everything. Just a really special girl. And showed a lot of love and gave a lot of love.”
Three-year-old Ava died after a bouncy castle was lifted into the air by strong winds during an event at Ouellette Park in LaSalle on May 31.
Her father says her gift of organ donation has already saved four lives, ensuring her impact will be felt for years to come.
“She was so young and lost her life at such a young age and she had so much ahead of her and going forward in life,” Ciampini said. “So for us, she’ll be able to live life through others, and by doing that, she’s saving lives and she’s truly a hero.”
Hundreds gathered Tuesday evening at Ouellette Park for a memorial in Ava’s honour.
For her father, the park holds special meaning. It’s where he first asked his future wife to be his girlfriend, and later where he proposed.
He says the family is finding comfort in watching videos and remembering the joy Ava brought into their lives.
“Hearing her voice and all those things is part of it, and it brings a smile to us. So we’re doing a trying to do everything we can to keep going.”
Ava’s story is shining a light on the importance of organ donation. Transplant experts say while pediatric donations are rare, they can have a life-changing impact for children and adults waiting for transplants.
“It varies year to year, but it’s only about five to 10 children become actual donors,” said Dr. Matthew Weiss, the medical director of organ donation with Transplant Québec. “And that’s out of potential donors. In the pediatric population, it’s a little harder to estimate, but about 50 per cent roughly year to year, families who are approached for the possibility of donation accept to donate their child’s organs.”
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Dr. Weiss says the impact of pediatric organ donation can be significant. In some cases, a single child donor can provide up to eight transplantable organs, in addition to tissues that can help many more people. He says that’s why it’s important for families to discuss their wishes long before they’re ever faced with such a decision.
“We live at the intersection of being able to offer life out of a situation that led to death,” he said.
“If you’ve had those conversations as a family – God forbid, if we’re in this setting – what would we want to do. Then that’s one less decision you’re going to have to make.”
Ciampini says the three years he had with Ava were the best three years of his life.
“They’re so pure, they’re so joy, they’re so beautiful to see grow,” he said.
“Don’t take any day for granted. Hug them close, hug them often. It’s in a blink of an eye they could be taken away.”
