Hello friends and family, I don't do this often but in my heart I know I have an amazing community and I am asking for some major help for my younger sister, Ashley Lovato !

She was diagnosed with Ulcerative Collitis, a normally somewhat manageable condition in 2007, at 19 years old.

However, this disease has maniacally progressed. Over the past five years, she has endured more pain, surgeries, and setbacks than most of us could imagine. It all started in 2020, when a severe CMV infection nearly took her life. Doctors had to remove her entire colon just to save her.

Since then, she’s had NINE major abdominal surgeries and she’s still fighting for her health.

She had a j-pouch created to allow her to live without a colon, but complications began soon after. Her j-pouch started twisting a rare and extremely painful condition that’s sent her into emergency surgery multiple times. She’s done every therapy her doctors have recommended. She’s lived with an ileostomy bag twice. She’s battled dehydration, weight loss, and even had to get a PICC line to receive nutrition through her veins.

Despite everything, she continues to be a loving, devoted mother and never stops fighting for a better life.

Now, her doctors have done everything they can locally. The only option left is to see a top j-pouch specialist in New York a surgeon known for helping people with complicated cases like hers. She has an appointment this September, but the cost of travel, lodging, and out-of-pocket medical expenses is something she simply can’t afford right now.

She’s been unable to work steadily due to the constant hospitalizations and recovery periods. She’s exhausted physically, emotionally, and financially but she still has hope.

And that’s why I’m asking for your help.

Anything you can give will help her:

Travel to New York for care that could change her life

Cover basic expenses while she’s away and recovering

Take one step closer to living without constant pain

If you can’t donate, please SHARE her story. Getting her to this specialist might be the one thing that finally puts an end to years of suffering and save her life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading and for supporting my sister. She deserves the chance to heal and I truly believe this doctor could give her that.

With love and gratitude-Rachel.