NewsPay It Forward

Actions

10-year-old cancer survivor dedicates holiday season to helping others in need

Posted at 11:12 PM, Nov 12, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-12 23:12:38-05

MARSHALL, Mich. -- Ten-year-old Avery Kushion is a cancer survivor with one mission heading into the holiday season: to pay it forward.

We first introduced you to Avery last winter. Now he's back, with a renewed push to deliver Christmas smiles to kids who need them most.

In the spring of 2010, Avery was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He was just four years old. "It’s something you wish no one would ever have to go through," said Jason Kushion, Avery's father.

After months of radiation and chemotherapy, Avery regained his health, and wanted immediately to give pay it forward to other kids in need.

Avery teamed up with his twin sister Kirsten to bring toys to Bronson Children's Hospital in Kalamazoo.

"It was just awful when I was in the hospital, and they have to go through the same thing," Avery said.

What started as one wagon full of toys soon turned into three. Come 2014, the Kushions loaded up a tractor with more than 1,000 toys.

"It was pretty incredible, being five years old at the time, and he still had friends in the hospital, and he basically expressed that he wanted to do something for them," said Jason.

The Kushions are hoping to deliver 1,200 gifts to sick children this holiday season.

"I want this to like have a family tradition like our kids do it, too, and it just goes on in our family," Avery said.

If you would like to donate, head to their GoFundMe page

Donation ideas include, but are not limited to:

  • New unwrapped toys (Age 0-15 years)
  • Gift card to local stores
  • iTunes cards
  • Cash donations

For more information, email Jason Kushion.