Sister Spotlight: Ava Combs

Since 2018, Ava Combs has volunteered at the Children's Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Over the years, the children and staff there have become like a second family to her, deeply influencing her life. Ava shared, "They inspired me to want to go into nonprofit work." Her dedication led her to return to the center for an internship this summer, an experience she described as both challenging and rewarding, further solidifying her passion for helping others.

During her internship, Ava's role at the Children's Cancer Center was ever-changing, depending on the upcoming events. She spent a significant amount of time preparing for the center’s two-week summer camp for the children, as well as other events like the teen group and various support groups. One of the major projects she worked on was the center’s annual fundraiser, the Gelatin Plunge, which is where attendees plummet down a slide into a pool filled with 2,000+ gallons of orange gelatin and enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and family-fun activities. Ava connected with local businesses and families for donations. She also conducted research to support the center’s success in the upcoming year

Ava highlighted the Gelatin Plunge as one of the most memorable experiences of her internship. "It was such a challenging day," she recalled, "but it was amazing to see everything the staff had worked on come together, and to watch all our hard work pay off so well." The event was a tremendous success, and Ava was thrilled to see the results of everyone’s dedication. In addition to the fundraiser, working at the camps made a profound impact on her. Seeing the strength of the children undergoing treatment, along with their siblings, was truly inspiring. "Their resilience in the face of such adversity is eye-opening and motivating, "Ava shared

Ava's experiences at the Children's Cancer Center have not only shaped her career aspirations but also left a lasting impact on her personally. Through challenging yet rewarding experiences like the Gelatin Plunge and summer camps, Ava remains committed to making a difference in the lives of those facing difficult journeys. We love having Ava Combs as our wonderful sister at Gamma Phi Beta Mu, as she inspires us every day.