My name is Bailey Schmidt, and I am raising funds for my best friend, Ashlyn Sykes, who is currently fighting for her life after going into septic shock.
Ashlyn has battled ulcerative colitis (UC) for most of her life—a chronic and debilitating autoimmune disease that causes severe inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. While many people don’t see the daily toll this illness takes, it has deeply impacted every part of Ashlyn’s life. From constant pain and fatigue to frequent hospital visits and unpredictable flare-ups, she has faced it all with incredible strength and resilience.
Recently, complications from her ulcerative colitis led to septic shock, a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ dysfunction. What started as a disease she has managed for years quickly escalated into a critical emergency, landing her in the ICU and fighting for survival.
To make this situation even more devastating, Ashlyn went into septic shock while in Arizona, far away from her family. As she fought for her life, her loved ones had to urgently travel to be by her side—taking on unexpected and costly expenses just to be there during such a critical and heartbreaking time.
Even before this crisis, Ashlyn’s journey with UC required ongoing, expensive medical care. She relies on regular infusions to manage her condition and prevent severe flare-ups—treatments she will need for the rest of her life. These infusions, along with medications, specialist visits, and now the overwhelming cost of intensive care and recovery, have created a financial burden no one should have to face alone.
Ashlyn is one of the most compassionate, selfless, and strong people I know. She has always been there for others, even while quietly enduring her own struggles. Now, she needs our help.
We are raising funds to support Ashlyn through this incredibly difficult time—to help cover ICU expenses, ongoing treatments, travel costs for her family, and the lifelong care she needs to manage her ulcerative colitis. Any contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward easing the financial stress so she and her family can focus on what matters most: her healing and recovery.
If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping Ashlyn in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for supporting Ashlyn and standing with her in this fight.
— Bailey Schmidt