Talia's story
At the tender age of 10, Avery was browsing on YouTube, when she stumbled upon a remarkable young woman on YouTube named Talia Joy Castellano. Talia was and continues to be, a sensation on YouTube and various social media platforms, not just for her skill in makeup artistry but also for her inspiring personal narrative. At just seven years old, Talia received a devastating diagnosis of Neuroblastoma, a very rare form of cancer. Despite this, she used her YouTube platform as a medium to share her experiences with cancer treatment and her use of makeup as a way to cope. Talia rose to remarkable heights, becoming an icon for Makeup, appearing on a major talk show, and interviewing celebrities on the red carpet.
As Talia's battle with cancer intensified, leading to a second diagnosis of Leukemia, her life became increasingly shortened. In July of 2013, Avery was anxiously awaiting updates on Talia, she saw the post shortly thereafter that at 11:22 AM, Talia had passed away. Avery described feeling as though she had lost a dear friend. Watching every one of Talia's videos again in shock, Avery realized the profound impact Talia had made on so many.
Inspired by Talia's resilience, Avery was compelled to take action. Starting with volunteering at a children's hospital she wanted to do more., She researched and ultimately thought of starting a nonprofit. The name came the same day As Avery stood in front of the couch, rummaging through it for spare change, she muttered, "Couch Pennies," She thought the meaning behind it was a perfect analogy for RARE Diseases. It symbolized her belief in the value of small things and the importance of finding worth in overlooked elements.
Throughout Talia's journey, Avery kept the idea of Couch Pennies, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research, close at hand. However, it remained a mere dream until August 9th, 2017, when Avery herself was diagnosed with an extremely rare and incurable autoimmune disease called MOGAD. This was the moment Avery decided it was time to bring her vision to life.
Eleven years after discovering Talia, Couch Pennies has flourished and proudly collaborates with Talia's Legacy Foundation, founded by Talia's mother and sister. Together, they are dedicated to supporting research for rare childhood cancers, including the subtypes of Neuroblastoma and Leukemia.
Couch Pennies Foundation is now a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and raising awareness for all RARE diseases.
At Couch Pennies Foundation, we offer a range of initiatives to support individuals with rare diseases. From educational workshops and webinars to advocacy campaigns and collaboration with medical professionals, we are dedicated to making a difference. Our resources include a comprehensive library, financial aid, and support groups to ensure that no one faces these challenges alone.