DES MOINES, Iowa — Faith, family, and friendship were on full display at Dowling Catholic High School Tuesday night as one of their own families fights the repercussions of childhood cancer.

Ava Foth, a sophomore at the school, underwent a bone marrow transplant on Tuesday. Ava was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2022. The treatment was successful, but Ava developed Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare form of cancer that comes from cancer treatment and impacts the bone marrow.

Her brother, John, a senior at the school and captain of the varsity soccer team, found out he was a bone marrow donor match for Ava, and did not hesitate to volunteer. His bone marrow was harvested in a procedure on Monday, roughly 24 hours before it was transplanted into Ava. That has caused him to miss out on leading his team for several games.

Despite the family being at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City on Tuesday night, the school honored them during the 7:30 p.m. varsity soccer home game.

“It’s feels good to know that people are checking in, and they care about us and they are praying for us,” said Michelle Foth, as she held back tears. “It’s kind of hard to put into words everything they’re doing to surround our family with love and support.”

Michelle spoke to WHO 13’s Katie Kaplan via FaceTime from John’s hospital room. The mother and son had been able to see how their school community was honoring them through the lens of a friend’s cell phone.

“In this family, no one fights alone,” said one sign that greeted people as they entered the stadium. The evening included free yellow ribbons for spectators (a symbol of bone cancer), signs of encouragement for Ava and John, the entire team warming up in specialty shirts bearing John’s team number, and lots of prayers.

“The support is great, but it’s Ava, who’s going through this,” said John, who was sore but in good spirits during his recovery.

The crowd also participated in a symbolic wave, which mirrored a Hawkeye football tradition where fans in the University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium wave to patients and families at the children’s hospital just across the street.

“It’s been really hard to watch them struggle through this,” said Blythe Stanfel, a close friend of Michelle’s. “But we know that they have faith and (sic) that God has a plan, and they’re they’re trusting and they’re hoping and just relying on the Lord.”

“The whole family, they are so nice,” said John’s former co-captain Henry Abaraca. “Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

Abaraca graduated last year, but has remained close with John. He said he would often play video games with Ava during her first cancer treatment to help pass the time in the hospital, and said he was happy to support the family in any way he could.

“I’m glad that I can help her just kind of, you know, feel free and not have to worry about all the stuff that’s going on, he said.

Michelle said Ava’s transplant, which had taken place only a few hours prior, had gone well and that the next few weeks ahead would be focused on recovery for both children.

“We’ll be here in the hospital for quite some time,” said Michelle. “We’ll just do everything we can to keep her healthy and safe.”

The Foth family encourages people to look into the donor registry. All it takes is one swab to see if you are a match to save a life. To sign up to be a bone marrow donor, visit the National Marrow Donor Program Website.

Metro News: