Honouring Avril – A legacy of hope at Cariboo Memorial Hospital

For nearly three decades, a small playroom in Cariboo Memorial Hospital’s (CMH) emergency department has been a sanctuary for children and families in crisis. Known as Avril’s Room, it was created in memory of eight-year-old Avril Chevigny, who passed away on May 25, 1996, after a courageous battle with lymphoma/leukemia.

Today, Avril’s legacy continues. As part of the CMH Redevelopment Project, Avril’s Room will be reimagined in the new emergency department (ED)—thanks to the dedication of her father, André Chevigny, and the support of Interior Health and the community of Williams Lake.

“When I think back on those years, a lot of it was a fog—it seems like a dream now,” André says of the years Avril was battling cancer. “But what stands out is the community. Forty-seven RCMP officers shaved their heads, the Stampeders held hockey game, and we raised money for the hospital in so many ways. It’s mind-blowing how much people did for Avy.”

Avril’s courage inspired everyone around her. “She was a great example,” André recalls. “I remember she would take her hat off and show everybody. She was proud of her little bald head.”

For André, creating a space for children in the ED waiting room in her memory has always been about more than play—it’s about healing. “What’s the best way to get over your own hurt? Help others.”

The new Avril’s Room will carry forward that spirit.

“I’m excited that Williams Lake has the opportunity to continue something that’s been such a need and a success in our community,” André says. “To continue her name on through the room is such a reward and such a blessing for me.”

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