#strongallalong For Ashley

Being strong doesn’t mean not having moments of weakness. Being strong means not letting those moments of weakness define you or stop you. Ashley Karoumi is without a doubt the strongest person I’ve ever known.I met Ashley during the awkward teenage years of my life. We instantly bonded. I learned quickly that Ashley had been diagnosed at a young age with kidney disease. I also learned throughout the years exactly what that meant. We were normal teenagers in a sense that we chased boys, went to concerts, stayed up late eating flamin hots and cheese, and drove her mother crazy but there was also another side to those years. Ashley was in and out of the hospital. As we got older our bond only grew stronger and my admiration and love for her grew too. Our friendship became a sisterhood. One day when Ashley went into the hospital she came out needing to start dialysis. Her kidneys were functioning too low. I remember sitting with her as she did treatment and wondering how she did it. All of the things she went through, she just kept pushing and fighting. She never let her illness define her. She was a real life Wonder Woman in my eyes. She eventually got an amazing gift, a transplant from a good friend, Mahdi, and was able to live a somewhat normal life again. But transplant didn’t mean there weren’t obstacles in the way; she eventually ended up hospitalized again for BK virus. But still, she fought through like always and conquered one of her hardest battles yet. Then just last month, after marrying her best friend Allan in Jamaica, Ashley came home to find a lump in her neck. After seeing a doctors and some testing, we’ve learned she’s been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. During our friendship, throughout all her doctors and hospitalizations and illnesses and battles Ashley continued to be an amazing friend to me. She stood by my side during the best times of my life but she also picked me up during the hardest times, even when she could barely keep herself afloat. I can never explain in words just what that means to me. I will continue to be by her side as she fights this next obstacle but I want to do more.Ashley will need tons of support. Many of you have already given it and will continue to and for that we are forever grateful! But there’s another side of support I am hoping we can help with. Most people never think of the financial strain a cancer diagnosis can bring. Even with insurance there are many out of pocket expenses Ashley will incur. There will be times she will be too sick to work yet still have to pay bills, times she may need to travel to Northwestern for care, clinical trials her insurance won’t cover, seeing a fertility clinic to ensure she has options to start a family with Allan, and many simple things like just not having to worry about cooking, that will add up. I’d love to give her peace of mind till be taken care of. I want the financial burden to be the furthest thing from her mind so that she can focus on beating this. But I need your help. Please consider donating to help Ashley along the way of this journey. No donation is too small! And please continue sending all of your love, prayers and positive vibes as those also help tremendously! Thank you for ALL of your support!!!! #strongallalong