Domenic Ciuffetta is a REALTOR® with Spectrum Realty Services Inc., Brokerage, in Vaughan, Ontario. On April 10, 2014, Domenic’s brave and beautiful daughter, Ava Marie Ciuffetta, passed away. Due to the lack of oxygen at birth, Ava had over 300 seizures in her first few days of life. “She wasn’t expected to come home, but she blessed us with the most amazing 2½ years of our lives,” explains her father.
In her final weeks of life, Ava was admitted to Emily’s House Children’s Hospice where she received specialized care. Ava was embraced by the staff at Emily’s House and was cared for with kindness and compassion. On the day that would have been Ava’s third birthday, Ava’s Garden was opened with a memorial service with a balloon and butterfly release. Ava’s Garden will be a place for families to remember and honour their beloved children.
Domenic and his family benefitted from the programs and services of Emily’s House, as well as volunteered to raise funds and awareness through the Ava’s Garden project. Through their community, they were able to secure contributions that covered the landscaping, design, stones, and memorial statues now installed.
Plus, the memorial service raised another $7,500 toward compassionate hospice care programming for other kids like Ava, who live at Emily’s House, and enjoy play/music therapy, specially-trained volunteers, and other supports. Planning this garden, bringing a small community together, and sharing Ava’s legacy has all been part of their family’s bereavement process, as supported by Emily’s House’s Spiritual/Bereavement Care program.
In addition, Spectrum Realty Serviceshas selected Emily’s House as the charity of choice for its annual Spectrum Realty Christmas Toy/Gift Drive. Their team of REALTORS® is excited to donate items on the hospice “Wish List” that will help children and their families in hospice care share in the Christmas spirit, and enjoy one very generous Christmas party.
Emily’s House makes a positive difference in the health care and family services world, by providing compassionate hospice care when there is no cure, for children and their families. Emily’s House provides a range of programs and services for children with a life-limiting illness in a home-like environment, as well as supports for their caregivers and siblings. You can help keep Ava’s memory alive by supporting Emily’s House in her honour.
“Ava clearly had a greater purpose,” says Domenic. “She touched the hearts of everyone she met, and despite her disabilities, always managed to teach us what was really important in life.”
