Style-a-thon to benefit little Westport girl fighting for her life

Avah Carreiro, 10, has aspirations to be either a teacher or a soccer player when she grows up, but her dreams are on hold while she fights for her life at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

FALL RIVER – Avah Carreiro, 10, has aspirations to be either a teacher or a soccer player when she grows up, but her dreams are on hold while she fights for her life at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Avah, a student of Westport Elementary School, suffered critical injuries in a car crash on Route 6, Westport, on Sunday, June 24. Her mom Monique Medeiros is at her side asking both God and the doctors for a miracle.

Medeiros told The Herald News on Tuesday that Avah suffered severe brain damage and a loss of oxygen to the brain. There hasn’t been much improvement since the crash.

“We’re taking it day by day,” Medeiros said in a written exchange with The Herald News. “We just stay hopeful for a miracle. She has been our pride and joy since the day she was born and is my little best friend.”

She described Avah as a shy little girl, who is a bit of a tomboy, and very funny. Medeiros said Avah is “loving and caring” and sometimes worries about others “too much.”

The community is hopeful too, along with Monique’s friends, a group of hairstylists from six local salons hoping to raise funds for the family with a style-a-thon this weekend.

The salon where Medeiros works, Salon Via, 266 Alden St., has organized the style-a-thon to benefit Avah on Sunday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will offer services, along with Salon Ambiance, 138 Fulton St., and Next Level, 618 Bedford St.

All three salons are also accepting donations, in addition to the Beauty Bar, 328 Second St.; Ledoux and Company Salon, 250 President Ave.; and Chic Salon, 359 Wilbur Ave., Somerset.

“It’s a good community,” said Salon Via owner Kelly Vieira. “We’re not in competition. We reached out to those who know Monique.”

Vieira said Medeiros has worked at her salon for the past three years and has ties to other local salons from past work experience and studying in the cosmetology field.

Vieira said the salon of four stylists and an esthetician is very close and is devastated by what’s happened to Avah.

“It’s been very somber here at the salon,” Vieira said. “We’re all moms. This is Avah whose friends with our kids too. Sometimes it just doesn’t feel real.”

Medeiros, who injured her ankle in the crash, would likely be out of work for a while, even if Avah were well.

“At least something like this can alleviate some of her (financial) worries,” Vieira said.

Medeiros’ fiancé, Tiago Ferreira, and his 6-year old daughter Braylinn were also injured in the crash.

Stylist Ana Cunha introduced Ferreira, her brother, to Medeiros. The couple had been planning a Dec. 7 wedding.

Medeiros said she wasn’t sure if that would be possible now “with Avah’s condition.”

Westport Police Detective Jeffrey Majewski talked about what happened that Sunday and offered support from the department.

“Our prayers go out to the family,” Majewski said.

According to the police report, Ferreira was driving the vehicle west toward Fall River on the 100 block of State Road when he heard a loud bang. The vehicle veered right sharply and struck a telephone pole. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Majewski said police learned that Ferreira’s front passenger tire had blown out, causing the bang, which was also heard by a witness driving behind their vehicle.

He said Ferreira’s vehicle sustained a side impact with the pole which had “spun it around” in the road and left it sideways.

Majewski said officer Michael Jacques arrived first on the scene and discovered Avah unresponsive. He performed CPR until Westport Fire paramedics arrived and took over the crash scene. Fall River offered mutual aid.

Ferreira and Medeiros were transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Avah was rushed to Hasbro, and Ferreira’s daughter was transported to St. Anne’s Hospital.

Medeiros said she’s keeping her faith alive for Avah and believes that miracles do happen. Medeiros’ sister was in a very bad crash five years ago that took her months to recover.

“She’s a walking miracle so we’re hoping God can bless us with one more,” Medeiros said.

Services to be offered at Salon Via, Salon Ambiance and Next Level include braids, straightening, blow-outs, mini-facials, and men’s cuts. Salon Ambiance will also offer manicures and chair massage. Next Level will also offer facial waxing.

Services, priced from $5 to $25, will be offered on a walk-in basis. There will be refreshments and raffles. All proceeds will benefit Avah and her family.

An online fundraiser has also been set up to aid Medeiros and Avah. It has raised more than $13,000 so far. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/avahwillcomehome for more information or to make a donation.

Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com