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.”
He hopes the 160-square-foot space featuring Disney murals as well as log furniture and a TV will continue to provide comfort for families during difficult times. “There are lots of families with children waiting for tests, blood work, x-rays. Their siblings are waiting too, and they need a place to go.”
André’s message to parents facing similar challenges is simple but powerful:
“Be as positive as you can—not just for the child who is sick, but for the whole family. Sometimes we don’t like the cards we’re dealt, but you just have to deal with them with faith and positivity, because everybody’s watching, especially the siblings.”
In 2025, André was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal earlier this year in recognition of his work helping to support families with children fighting cancer.
“It’s not about me, it’s about what we did as a family. I became a better person from what I experienced, and now I pass that positivity to others. Being positive, being grateful and thankful makes a difference in other people’s lives.”
Avril’s Room and the Avril Chevigny Fund, which continues to help families financially who are suffering from childhood cancer, have touched countless lives over the years, and their impact continues to ripple through the community.
“I run into people every day who say they’ve used the room,” André shares. “Her little playroom has helped so many people. It’s been healing for me too. Sometimes I come up here by myself because it’s a healing place for me.”
As the new emergency department takes shape, Avril’s legacy of hope, resilience and community support will continue to live on.
“I really want to thank Interior Health. I’m so excited that her little playroom has helped so many people over the years. I’m excited that Williams Lake has the opportunity to continue on with something that’s been such a need and a success in our community over the years. So, I’m just really grateful that we are able to relocate her room and do the same thing over again, and it will continue for another generation or two, hopefully.”
