Rock Quarry Elementary Helps 1st Grader Fight Cancer

Seven-year-old Ava Kate Hollingsworth, a first grade student at Rock Quarry Elementary, is fighting cancer and has not been to school this year because of her illness.

She has undergone months of chemotherapy, surgeries and has to go through physical therapy as part of her rehab.

Ava's school, Rock Quarry Elementary, raised $7,000 for cancer research at Children’s of Alabama in Ava Kate’s name. According to WIAT in Birmingham, Principal Laura Jockisch says she is proud of her students for their hard work.

“Well part of our community here at Rock Quarry is caring for each other and loving each other and developing relationships. And I think this is a sad and horrific time for Ava Kate, but it has been an experience that has brought us altogether,” Jockisch.

Ava Kate's mother says he and her family travel to Birmingham for treatments. They hope she can return to school soon.