Chicago Bears Surprise Homer Glen Pediatric Cancer Survivor

HOMER GLEN, IL – An 11-year-old cancer survivor from Homer Glen received quite the surprise last week when Advocate Children’s Hospital and the Chicago Bears revealed she will be the VIP at the Bears game this week, according to a news release from Advocate.

In preparation for the big day, Ava Perakis and her family were treated to a limo ride to Halas Hall on Nov. 3. Ava received a custom Bears jersey, enjoyed a special lunch, watched the team practice, and got to meet her favorite players Justin Fields and DJ Moore – even delivering a handmade get-well card to Justin Fields, according to a release.

Before practice concluded, Jaylon Johnson presented Ava with the VIP tickets to the Nov. 9 game against the Carolina Panthers.

According to Advocate Hospital, Ava was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 2. She underwent 30 months of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, dozens of spinal taps, and months of hospital stays.

"We have had the best group of caregivers around throughout the course of Ava’s battle. Their work is inspiring and an obvious labor of love – they not only cared for our daughter, but also kept us sane and calm in the most traumatic and stressful time in our lives," Ava's mom, Kathy said in a release. "Furthermore, Ava is a die-hard Bears fan and, while Ava still struggles with the side effects today, the Bears have gotten her through some of the toughest times. We are so grateful to both Advocate Children’s Hospital and to the Chicago Bears for providing Ava with this opportunity of a lifetime."

At the game on Thursday, Ava, along with her parents and two sisters, will get VIP access on the field before kickoff and will get to watch the game from a special private suite.

“There is no one more deserving than Ava and her family. Like so many other children, Ava was incredibly strong and fought every day to beat her leukemia. More so, Ava hit so many unexpected obstacles along the way, which were combated with her infectious smile, her will to crush her leukemia, and a family that stood by her side through it all. I am so happy that the five of them can enjoy this incredible surprise,” said Dr. Jason Canner, a pediatric oncologist at Advocate Children’s Hospital.

Ava will enjoy the experience with Elly Perlman, a 9-year-old from North Carolina, who is also a cancer survivor. This is the first time that a patient from Advocate Children’s Hospital and Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital will come together to cheer on their favorite teams since Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health combined to create Advocate Health last year, the hospital said.