Avalanna Routh was remembered today by her parents, family, Justin Bieber and Beliebers on the one year anniversary of her death. Routh died aged six from a rare form of brain cancer that mostly affects children called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT.)
Diagnosed when she was just 9 months old, Avalanna lived longer than her doctors expected due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. In an article published today, her mother Aileen Roberts Routh described her daughter as “so little, yet she was so big… She did everything with enthusiasm and had the beautiful gift of spreading her joy wherever she went.”
A huge Bieber fan, Avalanna was nicknamed “Mrs. Bieber” because of her love for the teen singer whom she met for the first time last February in New York City for a Valentine’s Day date The meet took place after a Routh family friend created the Facebook page “Get Avalanna to Meet Justin Bieber.”
At that first meet, the little girl and her family played board games, feasted on cupcakes and threw a “pretend wedding” with Bieber. Afterwards, the singer tweeted :
“That was one of the best things i have ever done. she was AWESOME! feeling really inspired now #MrsBieber.”
Avalanna met Bieber on subsequent occasions. These included the pop star serenading her at his Harlem Apollo show last June for a rendition of “One Less Lonely Girl.” The pair also appeared on the Today show together that same month.
Aileen Routh said of her daughter’s relationship with the singer:
“One of her greatest adventures was meeting Justin Bieber. In typical Avalanna fashion, she was completely unfazed by Justin’s fame. She fell in love with a cute boy who was mesmerized by our girl because she radiated life, love, laughter and so much mischief. She was the light of our lives and still shines so bright.”
In 2008, Routh’s parents created the Cure AT/RT Now foundation together with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Her mother wrote that her daughter’s “unique relationship” with Bieber “created a global awareness for AT/RT.”
Fundraising continues and has included a “Meet Justin Bieber” event. Monies are directed to Dr. Charlie Roberts, a doctor at the Institute committed to finding a cure for AT/RT.
On the day of Avalanna’s death, Bieber tweeted : “just got the worst news ever. one of the greatest spirits i have ever known is gone. please pray for her family and for her. RIP Avalanna. i love you.”
via J-14 .
Justin has previously paid tribute to Avalanna’s life and passing, singing “One Less Lonely Girl” to a picture of the little girl at the opening night of his Believe world tour on September 29 last year.
After that first show, the heartthrob tweeted, “Goodnight Avalanna. Tonight was for u. I love u.”
A month later, the singer tweeted about Routh on what would have been her birthday, writing:
“Today would of been the 7th Birthday of Mrs. Bieber. @Avalanna you changed my life. We will all celebrate you today no matter what. love u.” (sic)
Today #AvalannaAndJustinThisIsForever trended worldwide on Twitter as Beliebers also marked the one year anniversary.
For his part, Bieber honored the only girl to date he has ever ‘married’ with a simple message.
Will never forget my girl. RIP Avalanna #mrsbieber
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) September 26, 2013
[ Image via Los Angeles Times ]