Avery the Poke Kid, 12-Year-Old Social Media Star, Dies 7 Years After Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Avery, who had a passion for Pokémon, started sharing photos and videos on social media under the name “Avery the Poke Kid” over the past year

NEED TO KNOW

• Avery the Poke Kid, a social media star with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, died at age 12 on Friday, Sept. 18
• Nearly eight years ago, Avery was diagnosed with pancreatoblastoma, a rare malignant tumor of the pancreas that is diagnosed most often in children under 10
• Avery, who had a passion for Pokémon, started sharing photos and videos on social media under the name Avery the Poke Kid over the past year

Avery the Poke Kid, a social media star with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, died on Friday, Sept. 18. He was 12.

His parents, Christian Garcia and Rebecca Rosa-Valentin, shared in an Instagram post that their son, known for his Pokémon card content, “passed away suddenly” at 7 p.m. that day.

“We don’t know how to write these words. We don’t know how this became our reality today,” they began their lengthy caption, alongside a photo of themselves kissing Avery on each cheek.

“Although Avery had recently transitioned to hospice care, we truly believed we still had months with our little man. Today, we brought him to the hospital for what we thought would be a routine visit,” the grieving parents wrote. “We never imagined we would leave without him.”

“When we realized our time with Avery was coming to an end, we brought him to one of his favorite places at the hospital, the rooftop garden,” they continued. “We held our beautiful boy in our arms as a family. We kissed him. We told him how much we loved him. We told him how proud we were of him. And we stayed wrapped around him as he took his last breath.”

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“For nearly eight years, we fought beside Avery with everything we had. Tonight, for the first time, we have to figure out how to exist in a world where we can’t bring him home with us,” Garcia and Rosa-Valentin wrote. “There are no words for that kind of pain.”

The proud parents also took the opportunity to thank Avery’s more than 200,000 social media followers for supporting him throughout his treatment.

“Thank you for loving our little boy. Thank you for praying for him, cheering for him, watching his videos and giving him a community that brought him so much happiness,” they wrote.

“As we begin to grieve and somehow learn how to live without Avery, we ask that you please give our family some privacy, time, and space to simply be together,” the post concluded. “Being Avery’s parents has been the greatest privilege of our lives. We would give anything for one more day. We love you forever, Avery.”

“Our handsome boy,” Garcia and Rosa-Valentin signed off their message. “See you next time, Trainer. 💔”

Nearly eight years ago, Avery was diagnosed with pancreatoblastoma, a rare malignant tumor of the pancreas that is diagnosed most often in children under 10. In the years since, he underwent multiple surgeries and radiation treatments, and he entered hospice on two other occasions.

Avery started sharing photos and videos on social media under the name “Avery the Poke Kid” over the past year — documenting his treatments and opening new Pokémon packs for more than 600,000 followers across his Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook accounts.

Despite his diagnosis, Avery always had a dream to be a content creator and had the goal to reach 100,000 subscribers on YouTube — which he officially reached earlier this month.

“We are beyond humbled and extremely grateful for each and every single one of you springing into action today and every day,” his parents said when he hit the milestone. “We truly cannot thank each of you enough🙏❤️. We love you!!!”

On Sept. 17, Avery’s parents announced that he had entered hospice care for the third time, writing in an Instagram update that they were “choosing to be together as a family and cherish every moment we’re given.”

Amid his treatment, Avery’s parents started a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of his treatment.

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Following the news of his death, tributes began to pour in online for the young content creator.

“Cancer has taken away someone so wonderful from us, but Avery never let that get to him — he spent every day happy, smiling, and spreading positivity wherever he went,” one Instagram creator, PokeSean151, wrote on social media. “I hope Avery is up there smiling at the positive impact he’s left on this world and I hope we all carry on his legacy of being nice to each other.”

“You were everything that’s right in the world,” wrote another creator, My Brother’s Pack. “Even with all you were going through, you loved doing things for others. You were so generous. Thoughtful. Hilarious. Creative. Loving. Your character was unmatched.”

“Your legacy will truly carry on forever,” he added. “The best smile. The biggest heart. So much fun to be with you.”

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