Ashlynn's Army & Support for the Blacklaw Family
Nick and Michelle Blacklaw recently enjoyed Halloween weekend with their two girls, Addie and Ashlynn, just like many others did. But on Monday, November 2nd, their 6-year-old Ashlynn woke up, unable to use her right side and she was having difficulty swallowing and talking. Ashlynn was rushed to their local hospital and then flown up to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago for further tests and evaluation. In the days that followed, the family found that Ashylnn has an inoperable brainstem tumor that appeared to be the source of the trouble.
Her medical team sprung into action, immediately installing a shunt to help drain fluid off her brain, which seems to have restored slight movement to her right side. However, biopsy results have now revealed that the tumor is an advanced stage DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), a rare cancer of the brainstem – currently without a cure.
This news is devastating to the family and everyone who has come to know them. Ashlynn is a fighter and is fighting every day to keep going, with her parents by her side. Still unable to speak, Ashlynn is receiving support from several physical therapists in an effort to retain/regain some of her strength, mobility and speech. She communicates with a thumbs-up and has playfully stuck out her tongue at dad. Her personality still finds a way to shine through.
Starting next week (Nov 17) Ashlynn will begin daily radiation treatments for a course of 6 weeks, to give her as much bonus time with family as possible. Ashlynn will remain in Chicago for her treatment, moving over to a care facility for continued therapy work and visiting Lurie’s hospital daily for her radiation. The doctors are hopeful that treatment will allow her to regain a little of what she has lost so far and give her a window of time to return home for Christmas and to be with family and friends. If Ashlynn is well enough after her treatment completes, the family is hoping to make a trip to Disney World while also exploring clinical trial options she is being considered for.
In light of these unimaginable circumstances, we’d like to assemble an army of support for Ashlynn – to channel extra help to this tight-knit family and carry them along the difficult road ahead. Your generous donations, no matter how big or small, will help the Blacklaw family with the many unknowns in front of them. (Growing medical expenses, unknown amount of time away from work, daily living expenses while staying by Ashlynn’s side in Chicago, and travel expenses to make sure Addie also gets as much time as possible with her sister and parents.) Help us give the family a little extra buffer, so they can continue to focus only on what is most important – their time left together.
All donations are going directly to Nick & Michelle - with family fundraising efforts led by immediate family members Joel Blacklaw, Brad & Nina Anderson and Jenny & Eric Hackler. If you would rather share contributions to the family via Venmo – a charitable account has been set up under “@nick-blacklaw”. Beyond donations, we ask that you please join our army of support and say a daily prayer for Ashlynn, her big sister Addie, and Nick & Michelle. This family’s fight is urgent and so much of it has been taken out of their hands. Please be sure to share messages with the family below, which they can read as time and energy allows.
*To include a comment/message* - after the donation option, when you see the message to "SHARE", click on *continue* at the very bottom of the window.
