As they reflect on their own personal journey with pediatric cancer, Rachael and Mike Ryan of Huntersville, NC most remember the support they received from friends and family during their young daughter’s courageous battle.

“Aria was diagnosed with infant acute megakaryoblastic leukemia on Thanksgiving Day of 2021, when she was five months old, and passed away at the age of 13 months in August of 2022,” shares Rachael. “She began chemotherapy treatment at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital immediately after diagnosis, and we stopped our own lives to be with Aria in the hospital.”

That’s when friends and family stepped in to make life even possible while Aria was receiving care, offering their time, love and unconditional support. Friends created a GoFundMe to lessen the stress of not working – in order to be with Aria – and also started meal trains when the family returned home from the hospital.

“We received gifts, cards and gift cards while in the hospital, so we knew we had strength in numbers behind us,” adds Rachael. “Friends helped take care of our dog when we had long days at the hospital, and we certainly knew how lucky we were to have this kind of support. That’s one of the things we want other families to experience – even if they don’t have the family and friend resources nearby. Aria’s Pride wants you to feel supported and know you’re not alone!”

Rachael and Mike were inspired to carry on their young daughter’s memory and mirror her incredible strength.

“No family should face childhood cancer alone,” says Rachael. “We know firsthand that every family deserves a supportive community of compassionate and caring people. Aria faced every day with strength I never thought imaginable. For me, as her mother, I always want to know, why Aria? Why did we, as a family, have to endure this? My only explanation is that we are meant to do something with our experiences. Knowing how hard she fought through all her difficulties gives me strength in my daily life. She truly was inspiring, and I am so proud of her. I hope Aria’s Pride gives at least one other family a bit of inspiration and hope in their cancer journey.”

The Aria’s Pride team also provides Holiday Cheer Care Packages to families who spend time in the hospital during the holiday season.

“During Aria’s extended hospital stays, we spent many major holidays – and other life events – right there in the hospital. She was diagnosed on Thanksgiving, and we proceeded to spend her first Christmas and Easter in the hospital,” Rachael shares.

Holiday Cheer Care Packages include snacks, food delivery gift cards and gifts for the patient, but also something for family members, siblings and caregivers. Rachael and Mike are hopeful these bring a bit of comfort while encouraging families to spend these precious moments together.

Even during her short, eight-month cancer battle, Aria had an impact on all those who knew her. In addition to the efforts of Aria’s Pride to help families in similar situations with financial assistance and connections with counseling services, the Hemby Children’s Hospital is now home to “Aria’s Library” – a free library accessible to patients and caregivers being treated at the hospital. Located in the waiting room, the library contains new books for patients and gently used or new books for caregivers. Most are donated – there’s a wishlist on the website for those who want to purchase – and some organizations host book drives.

“Aria loved to read, and it was something we did every night before going to bed, including when we were in the hospital,” says Rachael. “We’ve gotten great feedback from hospital staff sharing how much patients enjoy picking out books.”

As strawberries were Aria’s favorite food, Aria’s Pride will host its Second Annual Strawberry Fundraiser at Sweet Grass Boutique in Mooresville, to be held this year on Tuesday, May 13th. Also, stay tuned for details on the Second Annual Aria’s Pride Pickle Ball Tournament in August at the Talbert Recreation Center in Mooresville – date to be announced soon!

If you are interested in donating, organizing a fundraiser to support the mission of this 501(c)(3) group or simply helping to spread the word, visit ariaspride.org, email info@ariaspride.org and follow them on Instagram @ariaspride_inc.