Variety, the childrens charity of Buffalo & WNY is thrilled to introduce
the celebrity child for
The 61st Annual Variety Kids Telethon…
AVANYAH WHITE!
Meet Avanyah, the 2023 Celebrity Child for the 61st Annual Variety Kids Telethon!
Avanyah Antoinette White was born September 5th 2018, 3lbs 6oz, at 32 weeks gestation at Oishei Children’s Hospital. She lives as an only child with her mother Unique White. It was discovered that Avanyah’s lower extremities were not developing as they should have been at 16 weeks gestation. This is believed by geneticists at Oishei Children’s Hospital to be due to genetics rather than any complications in pregnancy.
At birth, Avanyah was diagnosed with tibial hypoplasia. Her mother made the decision to have her legs amputated at the age of 10 months at Oishei Children’s Hospital. Unique, Avanyah’s mother was the same age when she had the same procedure.
Dr. Michael Ferrick was present for Unique’s surgery and he performed the amputation for Avanyah. The surgery was necessary so that she can walk with prosthetic limbs.
Avanyah received her first pair of prosthetic limbs at the age of two and began walking very shortly after. Two years later she is now in preschool and thriving!
Avanyah, who her family affectionately calls “Vonnie” is kind, loving and so full of life. She loves to play on the playground with her friends, her favorite color is pink and she loves to watch Paw Patrol. Avanyah’s absolute favorite thing to do is, to have tea parties with her great grandmother. Her great grandmother Katrina was on the very first Variety Kids Telethon, 61 years ago.
Oishei Children’s Hospital gave Avanyah, her mother Unique and her great grandmother, Katrina the opportunity to lead better lives outside of a wheelchair and they are eternally thankful.
Variety is truly honored to have Avanyah and her loving family a part of The 61st Annual Variety Kids Telethon taking place Saturday, March 4th from 6pm-11pm on WGRZ, Channel 2 AND on Sunday, March 5th from 10am-8pm on WBBZ, Channel 5.
We hope you will tune in and learn more about sweet little Avanyah.
Please kindly consider making a donation to the Variety Kids Telethon, today!
*Click on the image below to see a collage of photos of sweet little Avanyah and her family!
