Hope for Ash

I have been friends with Tabitha Ashlee since we were 6 years old. I first met her when we were in the same class in grade one. She was shy then, but we quickly became friends, helped by the fact that we lived very close to one another. Our friendship grew over Barbies, walks home from school when we would stand chatting for ages by her fence before our parents called us in, and lots of carefree playing with her and her siblings at the local park. We have remained friends 20+ years later despite living different lives in different cities, and I still consider her one of my closest and longest friends.

When I found out Tabs has a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer (advanced clear cell carcinoma) in the spring of 2022, I flew out immediately to see her. The prognosis was not great, however she has shown extreme courage and strength (although she may not feel that way if you ask her) and has made it through six rounds of chemotherapy and intensive surgery. Despite all of this, she is now left with few options. The chemotherapy and surgery and other attempted treatments have failed, and all that remains as an option is immunotherapy, which is not covered by any insurance or provincial health care. The costs she will be incurring will be close to $11,000 every 3 weeks. She is selling her car, cashing out her savings and giving all she can to choose life in the hopes that it will put her cancer into remission. I am setting up this fundraising page because I can't just sit by and watch my dear friend die, because if she does not receive this therapy that is all that is left for her. Her own funds will not be enough, considering the cost of treatment and the months required. I know that she is not alone in this situation, with a rare form of cancer that is not seen as a priority. But she is my friend and I ask if you have something, any small amount to give, she is a worthy cause.

Thank you for giving her some hope.