Hi, I'm Jocelyn and I'm here to let you know about my wonderful friend Ashley, who could really use some support right now.

If you know Ashley, you know she has a huge heart and has dedicated her life to helping others in every way she can. Professionally and in the community through her life’s work as a Social Worker and Counsellor, or personally by always being available for her friends and family with an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on or someone to provide a much needed laugh when life gets you down. She is kind, caring and will do all she can to make others people's days better. She has been there for me personally at the drop of a hat no matter what for almost 20 years. She's an amazing mother, working wonders to keep fun and magic going every day for her little ones. Ashley has spent so much of her life helping and taking care of others. I’m here to let you know that she now needs our help.

Last fall she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Luckily it was caught very early on, but major surgery was required to ensure it didn’t spread. After surgery she pushed herself to return to work, after only two weeks of recovery time at home, to ensure she and her family were able to stay afloat financially. As life does sometimes, the blows continued to come. Her husband was let go from his job for being unable to work overtime while she was healing from her first surgery. Not long after she also experienced job loss. After some struggle they both found new employment and things appeared to be levelling out and looking up.

Then just two months ago, Ashley was diagnosed with aggressive colon cancer. On November 3 she will undergo a laparoscopic anterior bowel resection and retrieval of lymph nodes to test how much the cancerous cells have spread into her lymph system. She may wake up with a stoma. Oncologists will review results after pathology and most likely she will then go through chemotherapy treatments. After this surgery both she and her husband will be off work during her initial recovery period with no sick leave or income.

As many of you know, beyond the emotional and physical toll of this type of diagnosis, the financial burden is high. While she and her family are processing the diagnosis itself and figuring out how to keep life as normal as they can for their two young kids not yet in school, the weight of the financial stress is heavy. Hospital parking fees, prescription medication not covered, lost wages, bills, meals and childcare costs add up quickly. Times are tough for many right now in general and this type of diagnosis takes that stress to another level. Every bit of support will be helpful for her family to ease the financial burden and focus on what truly matters: healing and staying strong together through this fight.

Funds raised will go directly towards gas, bills, parking fees for many future hospital visits, as well as the various supplements and medications required that are not covered.

If you are able, please donate or share this fundraiser to help this wonderful woman, that I am eternally grateful to call a friend, and her amazing family get through the weeks ahead with a little less stress and a show of support and love.