Although Ava Zimmerman was only alive for a short time, her courage touched the lives of her family and her community.

Ava’s family and friends will come together from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the Niles Inn, 930 S. 11th St., for the eighth annual Ava Zimmerman Memorial Blood Drive.

It is held to remember and honor the little girl who only lived 93 days.

Ava was born to Jamie and Brayden Zimmerman Sept. 29, 2007, but was diagnosed with a heart condition that required surgery.

“After Ava was born and we found out she had heart defects, our world came crumbling down,” said Jamie. “It is a parent’s worst nightmare and we naively believed that something like this would never happen to us. Now we know how rough life can be and that you never know what tragedy life might bring your way.”

Unexpected complications during surgery left Ava too weak to survive on her own and she was placed on life support.

“At this point we were still hopeful that she had a chance to survive as the staff believed that if her heart was given a rest on ECMO, then maybe it would recuperate,” said Jamie.

Ava developed sepsis and antibiotic treatments to cure it were unsuccessful.

“On Jan. 2, 2008, we made a futile attempt to allow Ava’s heart to function on its own as we trialed her off (life support),” Jamie said. “We knew the chances of this working were slim and we soon had to say our goodbyes to our precious baby girl. I held her in my arms as they took her off life support.”

Now, the Zimmermans focus on two events each year to honor and remember Ava. The blood drive, which takes place each summer, and an annual poker run which funds the “Ava’s Heart Foundation” at Mott Children’s Hospital.

Jamie said she began the blood drives because of her daughter’s numerous transfusions.

“I thought this would be a great way to give back to the community and to keep her in the minds and hearts of all the people who had supported us through our tragic experience,” she said.

To make an appointment to donate blood in honor of Ava Zimmerman call (574) 204-4132 or go online at www.givebloodnow.com. Use the sponsor code: Ava. Walk-ins are welcome.

Those who donate in July will be entered into a raffle to win a new car. For more information visit www.GiveBloodNow.com