It’s been 29 years since since Avril’s Room was first opened at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Williams Lake.
Avril Chevigny was a much loved little girl that was diagnosed with cancer at six years old but lost her battle May 25th, 1996 at the tender age of 8.
The community came together and helped raised $70,000 through the Avril Chevigny Fund to build Avril’s Room which has been used by many families visiting the Hospital’s Emergency Department since then.
Soon this precious space will be located in the new emergency department as part of the Hospital’s redevelopment and her memory will continue to live on and give comfort to those in it.
Andre Chevigny said he so excited that this room will continue to make a difference for many families.
“Her little playroom has helped so many people over the years. Whether it’s her playroom, her foundation, which even just as recently within the last six weeks, has helped a family with childhood cancer in Williams Lake navigate. I talk to them, I get to meet them and help them financially through Avril’s Fund. It’s just such a blessing that it’s been a healing for me over the years but it’s also nice that I can sit across from somebody and they can understand that I get it, I’ve been there and I sympathize with what’s going on their life.”
Chevigny said sometimes he visits Avril’s Room just by himself when no one is there because it’s a healing place for him and he remembers the names on the wall.
“Those are the people, it wasn’t just me, it wasn’t just the Chevigny family, it was the community coming together with businesses and we all pulled together and we pulled this off.” Chevigny said, “During the Pandemic it became a very important room, they used it for the quarantine room so all of Avril’s memorabilia and furniture was moved out. It’s been part of the community for a lot of years and so was she and it makes me pretty proud.”
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