Help Ashley Kirby’s Fight Against Cancer!

Hi all, I am not one to ask for much help but I am in dire need of it. A week after my father passed I was diagnosed with a very rare cancer - Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma. There are less than 400 cases of this specific type of cancer each year, meaning there are not many doctors that treat this nor is there a specific regimen treatment. Which to me, is very terrifying.. cancer in itself is scary but to have a rare cancer with no specific regimen and an average poor prognosis is a whole new fear put in place. 

There is a specialist in Chicago that deals with this type of diagnosis who I am currently seeing and will continue treatment with. The plan of treatment is currently a diagnostic laparoscopy so he can see what he will be dealing with & then a debulking surgery with HIPEC (heated chemotherapy inside my belly). We won’t know until after surgery if I will need additional systemic chemotherapy. On top of that I would like to preserve my fertility if at all possible… one of the main reasons I went to U of M for my endometriosis was so we could save my reproductive organs. That is a whole other process in itself with its own set of costs. But it is EXTREMELY important to me as I have always dreamed of being a mother and being able to carry a child. 

This diagnosis has temporarily halted my schooling career in social work - while I know there is no specific timeline in when you should receive a degree, I wish I could be in school chasing my WHY. & while I do financially support myself, I know my dad would do everything in his power to make sure I was financially okay and support me emotionally as well. However unfortunately he can’t do that, as he is now my angel. Costs are quickly adding up as more appointments are made and more tests are run. The funds donated will go to medical bills, gas, and hotel stays. Thank you for considering to help!! <3