Erin D’Avanzo, a Chester County local, beat cervical cancer and was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a mother, writes Stephanie Stahl and Adam Fox for CBS News Philadelphia.

D’Avanzo always loved children. As a kindergarten teacher, she and her husband planned to start a family right after they tied the knot. However, their journey to parenthood was unexpected. 

She was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 27 years old, shortly after returning from her honeymoon. Instead of getting pregnant, she had to navigate this roadblock and undergo chemotherapy and a hysterectomy.  

“The thought of me not being able to have one was just, I’ve always wanted to be a mom,” said D’Avanzo. “I have nieces and nephews, and I’m like a second mom to them. So, I just wanted to be able to be a mom.” 

She became one with the help of Dr. David Holtz, the chief of gynecologic oncology at Main Line Health. Before her cancer treatments, D’Avanzo had an egg retrieval.  

“Fertility rates from egg retrieval and embryos are much higher than they were 10-15 years ago,” said Holtz.  

Embryos were created with D’Avanzo’s eggs and her husband’s sperm. Their son, Frankie, was delivered via surrogate on D’Avanzo’s 33^rd birthday.  

Read more about Erin D’Avanzo’s inspiring journey to motherhood at CBS News Philadelphia. 

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