CINCINNATI — For children battling debilitating diseases, it’s essential to have state-of-the-art care, and since Ohio has several of the top children’s hospitals in the country, many kids from across the U.S. travel here for the unique treatments they offer.

One Texas seventh grader is now finally able to feel like a kid again after battling pain from pancreatitis for years thanks to Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

What You Need To Know

  • Pancreatitis can create sharp pain in the stomach and back area and is very rare in children 

  • Avery Winkelman's entire life was affected because of her pain from pancreatitis until she underwent the TPIAT surgery at Cincinnati Children's 

  • Recently, she was honored for her courageous fight with the Hero of Hope Award from the National Pancreas Foundation gala for Ohio and Kentucky 

Avery Winkelman is all smiles and laughs now, visiting Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Seacrest Studios, one of her favorite escapes during her stay here.

Avery Winkelman (right) smiles inside Seacrest Studios at Cincinnati Children's Hospital (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

“I think it’s like a fun way to get out of your hospital room and have fun," Winkelman said.

Winkelman is celebrating two years since her prolonged stay here battling pancreatitis, which affected nearly every aspect of her life.

“For like the last six weeks of fifth grade, I was home-schooled because I couldn't stay at school," she said.

Most of her days were spent on the couch with a heating pad, because the pain was too much.

Winkelman at a doctor's appointment with a heating pad to help with the pain before her TPIAT (photo courtesy of The Winkelman Family)

“It’s either really sharp or really achy," she said.

But thanks to the team at Cincinnati Children’s, Winkelman was approved for a Total Pancreatectomy Islet Autotransplantation or TPIAT.

“The removal of the pancreas as a whole organ," said Dr. Maisam Abu-El-Haija, the medical director of the Pancreas Care Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. "It’s removed on block and then sent to an islet special lab that we have at Cincinnati Children’s to remove those islets.”

“I think the main reason that I wanted to get this surgery is because if I didn't get this surgery, they said that I would eventually end up having diabetes anyway," Winkelman said of her decision.

El-Haija said Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is one of the only institutions to perform the TPIAT because of how rare the disease is in children. Through all the ups and downs, El-Haija said Winkelman inspired her.

Dr. Maisam Abu-El-Haija (right) makes a guest appearance with Avery and her sister at Seacrest Studios (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

“She’s so, so courageous, I’m so proud of her," El-Haija said.

Winkelman was recently honored at the National Pancreas Foundation’s gala for Ohio and Kentucky as a recipient of the Hero of Hope Award.

Avery (right) with her family at the National Pancreas Foundation gala (Photo Courtesy of The National Pancreas Foundation)

“It means a lot to me because it makes me feel like I've helped a lot of people," Winkelman said.

Now, laughing with her younger sister by her side, Winkelman is living her best 12-year-old life.

“I'm in seventh grade now," she said. "So I'm able to go to school for the full day. I do athletics.”

Her journey shaping her.

“I want to be a nurse here on the diabetic unit," she said.

Inspiring everyone along the way.

“I hope my story helps other kids remember that there can be a better life," Winkelman said.

“Her courage was very inspiring," El-Haija said. "I learned from Avery.”