College 4 Ashton - Cancer Survivor!

Lori Swick is organizing this fundraiser.

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Meet the Schaffers....Sheri, Shannon and my beautiful nephew Ashton. On June 22, 1996 my wonderful and amazingly talented nephew was born to two of the best people in this world.
2 1/2 years later, just 3 days before Thanksgiving, Ashton was diagnosed with T-cell Leukemia and the prognosis was not good. He had the highest white count the doctor had ever seen. We were all told to prepare for the worst.
After a very long and hard 3 year battle, Ashton had endured chemo therapy and cranial radiation, he had his last chemo treatment at age 5. He is a FIGHTER!

Through it all Ashton always remained happy. He was a perfomer at this young age. He made his way through treatment by singing and performing show tunes for anyone who would listen. AND...he was GREAT! We even celebrated the ending of treatment at a local dinner theater watching Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This is what Ashton wanted to do more than anything - and he was only 5!!Over the years Ashton became a public speaker for childhood leukemia. Below Ashton's with Elizabeth Dole at an ERC conference and also at a Team in Training Fundraiser event.
While Ashton was in treatment for those years it took a financial toll on the family. His dad, Shannon, quit his job for awhile in order to take care of him. Both of Ashton's parents became volunteers for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For many years, Shannon played Santa for children spending their holidays in the hospital.
Shannon also took part in fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by biking for the Team in Training. Together the family raised tens of thousands of dollars for research.
As the years began to pass the family began to financially recover as well as emotionally recover from such a difficult illness. Tragically, on September 17, 2011 while training on his bicycle for a Team in Training event, Shannon had a massive heart attack and passed away. This was a shock and tremendous loss. Shannon had such a great spirit about him. His presence filled a room. He sacrificed so much to save his son and now isn't around to see what an amazing young man Ashton has become. Throughout his high school career Ashton has continued with his passion of musical theater. He's not only an amazing talent, he's a wonderful and beautiful human being. He's kind, generous and full of love. He just wants the world to be a song and a dance.Ashton's a senior in high school now and will graduate in June. He's continuing to follow his dream of muscial theater and one day making it on Broadway. If anyone can do it, Ashton can. He's been accepted to the prestigous Musical Theater program at Rider University! He's recieved scholarships and financial aid, but unfortunately this won't cover all tuition and expenses. He needs help paying the difference of what his financial aid won't cover. His mom has struggled financially since his dad died and paying for such an expensive education will be very difficult for her. PLEASE HELP this amazing young man achieve his dream! He has been through so much and he deserves to have this wonderful opportunity.
God bless Ashton. God bless all cancer survivors. God bless all children who have lost a parent. God bless those who help others.

Here are a couple video's of my awesome nephew's talent.

Thank you.