Support Alex's Recovery from Emergency Neurosurgery

Support Alex and His Family on the Road to Recovery from Emergency Neurosurgery!

Our dear friend and colleague, Alexander Ashton, is facing an unexpected and life-changing challenge that calls for our immediate support. Alex was born with Hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain. Over the years, his condition has been manageable thanks to a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, a specialized device that redirects fluid from his brain to his abdomen for reabsorption. When the shunt is working properly, Hydrocephalus has little impact on Alex’s life, and he can be the vibrant, caring person and clinician we all know and love.

Last week, everything changed.

Without warning, Alex’s shunt failed, causing dangerous pressure to build inside his skull. What followed was a series of agonizing days filled with headaches, nausea, and blurred vision—symptoms so severe that they required multiple emergency room visits and a stay in the Neuro ICU. After extensive evaluations, Alex’s medical team at Johns Hopkins determined he needs surgery to replace the malfunctioning shunt. Until then, he’s in the hospital with a temporary external shunt, managing this critical situation.

While this sudden medical crisis is overwhelming, Alex and his wife Katherine are facing it head-on with incredible courage, love, and determination. The road ahead will not be an easy one. The surgery, hospital stay, recovery, and associated costs are daunting. Alongside the physical and emotional toll, they must navigate medical bills, time away from work, and caring for their beloved child, cats, and home during this difficult time.

This is where we can make a difference!

Help light the way for Alex's recovery and support Alex and his family during this critical time. Every contribution—no matter the size—will help Alex focus more fully on his rest and recovery. Your donation will go directly towards medical expenses and recovery needs, giving Alex the peace of mind to heal and return to the life he loves: "caring for clients and being an active father, husband, and cat-dad."

Alex is eager to move past this challenging chapter, regain his strength, and return to the people and work he cherishes most. He can’t do it alone.

Let’s rally together to support Alex and his family and show them they’re not alone in this fight! Together, we can make a meaningful difference and give them the support they need to navigate this challenging time because when Gladstone stands together, we achieve amazing things!

Update: Alex’s family shared that the surgery was successful and he is starting to feel better.