Clinic recreates father-daughter dance for 10-year-old awaiting heart donation

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - The Cleveland Clinic made a dream come true for a very special 10-year-old girl.

After Ava Cooper could not attend her school event, she received VIP treatment with a father-daughter dance at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

The Cleveland Clinic says Ava, born with congenital heart defects, has waited more than 200 days for a heart donation.

All this time, she has been in the hospital.

But with help from her caregivers, a hospital room was transformed into a dance hall, adorned with floor-to-ceiling heart-shaped streamers, party lights and balloons.

Ava and her father, Sean, danced to a curated playlist of her favorite songs. She told the Cleveland Clinic her favorite moment was their slow dance.

“My dad is like having the best friend a girl could ask for,” Ava said.

Events like the dance for Ava, according to the Cleveland Clinic, are supported by a grant designated to personalize legacy experiences for children with complex, chronic illnesses.

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