Please help support Ashley Alvarez (Paras)

Ashley Alvarez recently experienced the worst nightmare of any parent- The loss of her beautiful daughter Aubrey. Ashley is now facing not only the incomprehensible pain of Aubrey’s death, but the financial burden that our system not only creates but is not set up to help with. Ashley has three other children and two stepchildren that she and her husband Ricky, need to be able to care for. She needs help, any amount that you’re able. And if you have the time, please read about the life of this beautiful girl, and her amazing mama.

On December 23 family and loved ones gathered to celebrate the life of the sweetest angel, Aubrey Rachel.

Aubrey was beautiful, vibrant, caring, and so smart. She wanted to grow up and find a cure for cancer. She loved chemistry, painting, shopping, reading, singing, and her dog, Boba. She was a brilliant young chef who loved to cook for her family. She performed in local plays. She was an avid soccer player. She was a daughter, the daughter who first made Ashley a mommy, a big sister, a granddaughter, a cousin, a friend. She was perfect. She will be forever missed by those who were lucky to know her. There are no words in any language to explain the depth of tragedy and pain for a parent who has to face the loss of their child.

Ashley Alvarez, her mama, is a critical care nurse at Rogue Regional Medical Center. Ashley was towards the end of maternity leave from work with her new baby, Aubrey’s baby brother, when this tragic loss occurred. Unfortunately, this means that Ashley does not qualify for FMLA, because she had already used up all the hours she qualified for during her maternity leave. On top of that, though the hospital will allow her to still take a leave, because it doesn’t qualify for FMLA, it will be an unpaid leave. For those who work with Ashley, that also means anyone who graciously donated ETO (These are hours earned by employees to use when they are sick or for vacation. They can donate their own personal hours to someone on FMLA who has used all of their own hours so that they still can receive a paycheck) to Ashley, she is ineligible to use those donated hours. They will simply go back to those who donated them. Which leaves Ashley to face either an unpaid leave or having to return to work only weeks after the loss of Aubrey.

Unfortunately, life for those left behind to mourn and grieve does not simply pause. Bills still accumulate. Groceries still need to feed other little mouths at home. Diapers, wipes, and all the expenses of a new baby still arise.

Please help Ashley and her family by donating any amount you’re able. No parent who just lost their child should have to worry about financial stress. Especially a mama having to face going back to work in a setting where facing death is sometimes a daily occurrence. Where Ashley is responsible to intervene to help save those who may die. Ashley’s other children should not have to be home processing and grieving the loss of their sister while their mama has to go to work. They need their mama at home more than ever. And Ashley needs the time to be at home during this unfathomable time of grief. Any help would be deeply appreciated by Ashley, her family, and all those who love her. Thank you.