Ashley’s Story: The Blessing of Being There

"Caregiving is not a solitary journey. It's a collective effort that can bring strength, comfort, and healing to both the caregiver and the one receiving care." 

Caregiving often comes unexpectedly, and for Ashley, it began at just 18 when her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Suddenly, college and volleyball plans took a backseat as she devoted herself to being by her mother’s side. “The time I spent with my mother was not a sacrifice but a blessing,” Ashley shares.

She cared for her mother through chemo, daily needs, and moments of quiet connection—and later supported her father through his own cancer journey. These experiences inspired Ashley to advocate for families facing cancer, including writing The Big Discovery, a children’s book that helps families navigate conversations about breast cancer with love and understanding. 

Ashley’s advice to caregivers is simple: It’s okay to ask for help. Caregiving is a shared journey that asks for courage, compassion, and care—for both the loved one and yourself.

Caregiver volunteers are vital to this mission. If you’d like to share your time and heart, we would be honored to have you join our team.

For a deeper look into Ashley’s journey and the compassion she shared, we encourage you to read Hope in the Face of Cancer. Her story—and so many others—shines a light on the incredible strength found in caregivers and community.

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