In Loving Memory of Kelly Asplin

Update 5/22/2025

This is the update we hoped to never write. Our family is shattered to share the news of Kelly's passing this week after a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Kelly was an inspiration in every part of her life, most notably in her roles as a wife, mother, and follower of Christ. She is rejoicing in her ultimate reward now and we know she has been welcomed with open arms, but here on earth we are hurting.

At this time, Roger and the boys, Hunter and Ryder, need our support. Kelly's job ended abruptly late last year when their contract changed hands, and due to her failing health, she was unable to seek further employment. This resulted in loss of life insurance and other benefits that would have supported her boys during this most difficult time. Previous funds raised on this GoFundMe were used for her treatments, and we are so grateful for your incredible generosity. If you are able to help again now, this will enable Roger to continue caring for his boys and keep them in the home he built and loved with his beautiful wife. These boys are hurting. Let's rally together and ease this burden so they can focus on grieving and healing together.

As always, your prayers are needed and appreciated. Kelly was the strongest of believers and she was held in prayer and love until the very end. If you could continue to keep her family in your prayers and also help us to share this GoFundMe so we can extend its reach far and wide, we would greatly appreciate it.

Our family thanks each and every one of you. You are all so loved and appreciated.

Update 9/4/2024:

Hi everyone, just wanted to give a quick update on Kelly and her ongoing battle with stage IV colorectal cancer.

Kelly has been getting a type of Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT) in Nogales, Mexico. These treatments were a Godsend in shrinking the metastasis in the lungs and keeping the primary tumor stable. However, the metastasis in her liver has become a turbo cancer, and has recently doubled in size. Kelly found a targeted therapy that is 2.5 times more effective than traditional chemo. Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) is performed in the United States, but only if the primary tumor is in the liver. Time is of the essence and there is a doctor in Germany that was willing to do a TACE procedure on both the rectal tumor (primary) and the solid tumor in the liver. Kelly flew to Germany a couple of weeks ago and will be going back to repeat this procedure at the end of the month, to try and shut these down. In addition, she is pursuing a local immunotherapy clinical trial here in Tucson, at the University of Arizona.

The continued travel and missed work time for Kelly and Roger continues to put a strain on their family financially. We have adjusted the Gofundme to reflect the new costs and once again come to friends and family for prayers, positivity, and donations to keep Kelly’s fight going in the right direction! We are grateful for the outpouring of love, support, assistance and prayers Kelly has received thus far. It means the world ♥️

Kelly is planning to document her journey in a blog, as time permits, to provide insight on her specific cancer and chosen treatments. We will keep you updated! Much love and thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and support!

Original post:

Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm starting this fundraiser to help my sister and her family get through a difficult time. Life took an unexpected turn a year ago when Kelly received a cancer diagnosis. Just two weeks ago, we learned it had progressed to Stage IV. Despite her resilience, Kelly will soon need to step away from work to focus on treatments, many of which aren't covered by insurance and require travel.

Kelly and her husband, Roger, and their two sons, Hunter and Ryder, live in Tucson, AZ. Kelly has been an incredible force in her community. She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Arizona and has continued to serve the Tucson community for more than 18 years as a pharmacist at multiple hospitals in town.

Kelly has dedicated her life to working tirelessly for others, now it’s our turn to give back to her and help her win this battle! The family would greatly appreciate any assistance, support, or prayers you have to offer. We will use this platform to keep you updated on Kelly's progress. Thank you for thinking of her and praying for her through this holiday season and into 2024...may it be a year of healing!