A 12-year-old “Pokémon influencer” has tragically died after battling cancer for nearly eight years.
Avery Garcia, known online as Avery the Poke Kid, passed away suddenly at 7pm on Friday (18 September).
His heartbroken parents, Christian Garcia and Rebecca Rosa-Valentin, shared the devastating news online.
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They wrote: “We don’t know how to write these words. We don’t know how this became our reality today.”
Avery had recently entered hospice care after being diagnosed with stage four pancreatoblastoma, a rare form of pancreatic cancer, as a young child.
The family, who are based in Everett, Washington, had believed they still had months left with their son.
“Today, we brought him to the hospital for what we thought would be a routine visit,” they wrote. “We never imagined we would leave without him. Everything changed so quickly.”
When it became clear their time with Avery was coming to an end, his family took him to one of his favourite spots in the hospital – its rooftop garden.
The tribute continued: “We held our beautiful boy in our arms as a family. We kissed him. We told him how much we loved him.
“We told him how proud we were of him. And we stayed wrapped around him as he took his last breath.”
Avery was diagnosed with pancreatoblastoma in 2019 and underwent major surgery in a bid to save his life.
The gruelling operation saw him lose his pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, duodenum, half of his liver, part of his stomach and several feet of his small intestine.
He subsequently required ongoing medical care and had entered hospice care twice before, as reported by Need To Know.
But despite his battle with cancer, Avery found huge joy in Pokémon. Over the past year, he built a huge following by sharing videos of himself opening Pokémon packs and collecting cards, gaining more than 600,000 followers across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.
Avery also used his passion to help other children in hospital, bringing Pokémon cards to share with them.
And earlier this month, he achieved one of his biggest dreams by reaching 100,000 YouTube subscribers.
“For nearly eight years, we fought beside Avery with everything we had,” his parents wrote.
“Tonight, for the first time, we have to figure out how to exist in a world where we can’t bring him home with us.
“There are no words for that kind of pain.”
They thanked Avery’s followers for giving him a community that brought him “so much happiness” and asked for privacy as they begin to grieve.
“Being Avery’s parents has been the greatest privilege of our lives. We would give anything for one more day.
“We love you forever, Avery.
“Our handsome boy. See you next time, Trainer.”
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