Family of Late Pokémon Influencer Condemns Scalpers Exploiting Viral Tribute

The family of Avery, known to the community as Avery the Poké Kid, has issued a public statement condemning individuals attempting to profit from his passing. Avery, a 12-year-old Pokémon fan who passed away in late September following a seven-year battle with pancreatic cancer, became the subject of a viral tribute after his parents shared a final video of him opening a Pokémon card pack. In the clip, Avery excitedly pulled a 30th Anniversary Jirachi SIR card, a moment that touched the community and even moved the card’s artist to tears.

The Exploitation of a Viral Moment

Following the video’s viral success, collectors observed the price of the 30th Anniversary Jirachi SIR card beginning to rise significantly on the secondary market. According to reports from Dexerto, prices for the card jumped from approximately $70 to $100, a trend widely attributed to the surge in interest surrounding Avery’s final card opening. The shift in pricing has triggered widespread outrage across social media, with many fans labeling the behavior as predatory and disrespectful to the memory of the young collector.

Family Statement and Community Response

In a formal statement posted to Avery’s official Instagram, his family addressed the unauthorized use of his name and likeness by resellers. “We are not involved in or benefiting from any cards being sold in Avery’s name or likeness. We have not approved these sales,” the family wrote. “We have asked sellers to take their listings down. Please do so immediately. This does not honor Avery’s generous heart. We are mourning our son and caring for our children. Please let us do that in peace.” Supporters have since flooded the comments section with messages of solidarity, condemning the scalpers while urging others to report any listings that attempt to leverage the child’s story for profit.

Why it matters

For the average collector, this situation serves as a stark reminder of the toxicity that can occasionally plague the secondary trading card market. While the Pokémon Company has attempted to mitigate reseller influence by ensuring higher supply levels for the 30th Anniversary collection, individual sellers continue to attempt to manipulate market value by exploiting emotional narratives.

Players and collectors should be wary of any listings that claim a personal connection to this story, as they are not authorized or endorsed by the family. The situation underscores the importance of community vigilance—by refusing to purchase from scalpers who use such tactics, the community can help stabilize prices and ensure that the legacy of fans like Avery remains focused on the joy of the hobby rather than predatory commerce.