Loved ones gathered Monday at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital for an honor walk celebrating the life of Ava Holland, a 15-year-old Horry County student who was critically injured in a car crash earlier this month.
The crash occurred early Feb. 4 at the intersection of Highways 90 and 22 as Ava was on her way to school at Atlantic Collegiate Academy. After days of medical care, doctors determined she would not survive, and she was officially declared brain-dead on Thursday.
Her parents made the decision to honor Ava’s wish to become an organ donor.
A Final Act of Kindness
An honor walk is a hospital tradition in which medical staff, family and friends line the hallways as an organ donor is transported to surgery, paying tribute to their life and their final act of generosity.
Friends, classmates and community members traveled to Charleston to attend the ceremony. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans partnered with Grand Strand Juniors Volleyball to provide transportation for those wishing to say goodbye.
Former classmate Paityn Streater said she attended to give Ava “one last goodbye” and to witness her “last little act of kindness” that could save up to eight lives.
Family’s Message
In a statement, Ava’s parents described her as the best daughter they could have hoped for — always smiling and full of joy. They said the honor walk provided meaning amid unimaginable loss and allowed the many people Ava touched to say a final thank you.
“The honor walk gives some meaning to a tragic event in which the question ‘why?’ can never be answered for us,” they wrote. “Losing Ava at such a young age leaves a void in our lives that will always remain.”
They encouraged the community to remember Ava for her love, happiness and the positive impact she made in just 15 years.
Community Response
In the wake of the crash, a petition has been launched on Change.org titled “Traffic Light for Ava,” calling for a traffic signal to be installed at the intersection of Highways 90 and 22, where the accident occurred.
Ava’s parents said the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming and that the recognition of their daughter’s impact has brought them comfort during an extraordinarily difficult time.
