Who Is Aven?

Aven is the first-born son of my wife’s college roommate. Yes, I know it sounds like a Spaceballs line, but hang in here with me.

Shortly after turned two, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. Not exactly the news any parent, much less new ones ever wanted or expected to receive. Not only that, they had lots of friends, Mrs. Tex and I included, that lived outside in Oklahoma that wanted to help.

That’s how Savin’ Aven was born. Although Aven received care at OU Children’s, run by the Children’s Health Foundation of Oklahoma, there were still lots of expenses the family needed covered. Friends and family banded together to raise money for Aven’s family to aid in the fight.

At the time, I ran a Notre Dame football site, Her Loyal Sons, with a decent following. Knowing this, Mrs. Tex asked if I would be willing to promote the campaign. I didn’t hesitate.

The Loyal Readers responded and helping push the fund to over $5,000, supporting a child neither they nor I had met. It didn’t matter. We were fighting with him.

Even though Aven’s Leukemia hit remission, he passed away in fighting another, unrelated illness of with a weakened immune system.

That was the hardest funeral I’ve ever attended. Mrs. Tex and I had welcomed our first child into the world. He was healthy. They buried their child. None of it was remotely fair and it’s still a complete gut punch thinking about it.

A couple years later, I was listening to a Final Fantasy XIV podcast, Limit Break Radio, while traveling home for work. They were promoting their Extra Life marathon at the start of the episode, mentioning that it raised money for the Children’s Miracle Network.

I couldn’t stop thinking about that effort. I played video games. I have people that donated in the past. Why couldn’t I do this for 24 hours? Why not support the place that cared for Aven and honor his memory. Perhaps it could contribute to another family not feeling that pain ever again.

I dove in and did my marathon with little planning and raised $800. Fast-forward a decade and I’ve raised over $100,000. My single marathon stream has turned into a constant, year-round effort. I started this site & newsletter because I can no longer use DonorDrive’s email tool thanks to the amount of donors that have helped me throughout the years.

And it’s all because of a child I never got the chance to met, but hold deep in my heart.

Thanks for joining me in this effort, even if it’s just reading to the bottom of this page, sharing a stream, donating, or even signing up for Extra Life yourself.

You are all heroes helping change kids’ health.