In Loving Memory of Ashley Stich

Hi, my name is Kacey and I am fundraising for my best friend Ashley Stich who is fighting for her life. In June 2021 Ashley and her beautiful family were living in Arizona when Ashley was offered a dream job at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so Ashley, her husband Adam, and their young children Piper and Finn took a huge leap and moved across the country to a new town so Ashley could pursue her dream job of academic advising in higher ed.

Just weeks after moving to a completely new town (a time that should have been exciting and fun), Ashley felt a lump in her breast. Ashley immediately leapt into action and went to the doctor to find out if the lump she had felt was the thing we all fear. The tests came back right away and Ashley was diagnosed with an 8cm tumor and Stage 3 breast cancer. It was devastating news. Without a significant amount of community around them in Macon things have been extremely hard.

Ashley is undergoing chemo now in Macon and will need a double mastectomy when the chemo is done. Ashley just learned this week that her tumor has not responded well to the initial chemo provided, and she is now seeking additional support from the the Mayo clinic to identify how best to refine her chemo treatment for maximum impact. With this recent news, and the anticipated additional chemo and surgery, Ashley and her family are staring down a very challenging year emotionally and financially.

Like many families Ashley and Adam's income are both very important to sustaining their family, but Ashley's ability to work will be impacted by her treatment. Even with insurance Ashley and Adam will likely incur up to $20,000 in out of pocket costs for her treatment, and that is not including potential lost income, travel to and from the Mayo clinic, and other expenses associated with ongoing care. Funds raised here will help with these expenses.

My friend Ashley is a smart, kind, and generous soul. She is an amazing mom to Piper and Finn, and a loving wife, daughter, sister, and friend. Ashley is someone who knows the song in other people's hearts and sings it back to them when they have forgotten the words. Piper and Finn need their mom to make it through this, we all do!

Ashley and Adam will be traveling to the Mayo clinic regularly soon for additional consultation and treatment and will need help right away to sustain them as they fight the battle of a lifetime. I ask you to please help lift up Ashley and her family in their time of need. Let's sing them a song of comfort and support! Thank you in advance for reading this and for making a donation today.

-Kacey