Get Ashley to the Boston Marathon

I've just gotten some incredible news: I've been accepted into the 129th Annual Boston Marathon as a para athlete! This surprised me on January 22 after running the Houston full marathon, way later than these things usually come through. This is only the second year the Boston Athletic Association has opened up its para-athletics program to athletes like me in the T35-T38 category, which includes folks with movement and coordination disabilities. Living with cerebral palsy, and running for 13 years, this is a dream come true for me.

Usually, I'd have way more time to plan and gather the funds but this announcement caught me off guard. I've been hustling hard, picking up extra shifts at a local hospital to cover costs, but I'm still about $1,000 short for transportation, food, and some unexpected Airbnb expenses after my initial booking fell through. I’ve always been about fundraising for others, like with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Team Catapult, but now I really need to ask for a bit of help for myself.

If you can, I’d love your support to make this incredible opportunity happen. Every little bit will help get me to the Boston Marathon starting line. Your generosity would mean the world to me and show support for para-athletes everywhere. Thanks so much for considering helping me out on this amazing journey!