I created this fundraiser in hopes of helping ease some financial burden for one of my longest best friends who is currently in the fight of her life battling cancer…..

Ashley is a loving wife, mother, and small-business owner who has always worked hard to support her family and community. After more than a year of unexplained illness, countless doctor and ER visits, and normal test results, she was finally diagnosed with Stage 3 Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma, a rare and chemo resistant cancer that often goes undetected until it’s advanced.

On October 13th, 2025, Ashley underwent surgery to remove her left ovary and fallopian tube. But when doctors began, they discovered the cancer had spread beyond the left ovary and fallopian tube and into her peritoneal cavity, where it was attached to her abdominal wall and colon.

The tumor had formed dense adhesions that caused her rectosigmoid colon (part of the large intestine) to stick to the front of her abdominal wall, and the cancerous tissue was completely covering the left ovarian mass, which doctors believed to be the primary source of the cancer.

Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of low grade serous carcinoma in both the anterior abdominal wall tumor and pelvic washings, with evidence of psammomatous calcifications, small calcium deposits that are typical in this rare type of ovarian cancer.

Because of how extensively the disease had spread, the surgery was stopped for her safety. Ashley must now complete six rounds of chemotherapy before undergoing a major debulking surgery, a complex operation that can take 3 to 12 hours, depending on how much cancer must be removed and which organs are affected.

Ashley has completed one of six chemotherapy treatments. The first week was the hardest, filled with exhaustion, nausea, and pain, but she continues to fight through it with faith and determination. Over the next four months, she will face five more rounds before surgery.

Her family’s strength has been remarkable. Her husband drives their special needs son 140 miles round trip each day to and from school in Washington, D.C., and because of the long distance and fuel costs, he has no choice but to stay nearby while their son is in school, all while managing their household finances and supporting Ashley through treatment. Ashley’s mother quit her job and temporarily moved to Maryland to help care for their youngest son, to be there for her daughter, and to take on many of the daily responsibilities Ashley can no longer manage during chemotherapy.

Ashley’s care involves two different oncology teams: she travels more than an hour to Baltimore to see one of her gynecologic oncologists and receives chemotherapy locally with another oncologist in her home city. Balancing these appointments, treatments, and long travel days has been exhausting and costly for their family.

While Ashley has insurance, it doesn’t cover the many out of pocket costs that come with months of treatment and recovery. One medication her oncologist prescribed, pegylated filgrastim (a long acting white blood cell supporting injection), was denied by insurance, claiming it wasn’t medically necessary until her counts drop dangerously low.

Pegylated filgrastim is used to prevent neutropenia (a dangerously low white blood cell count) and the risk of serious infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy, a critical part of keeping Ashley’s immune system strong enough to safely continue her treatments. The medication costs around $1,000 per injection out of pocket.

Funds raised will go toward easing the financial burdens that come with months of treatment and recovery, including uncovered medical costs, denied medications, travel expenses, and loss of income while Ashley focuses on healing. Your support also helps keep things stable at home for her children and allows the family a few moments of normalcy during this incredibly difficult time.

Some days are harder than others, but Ashley continues to face each one with faith, humor, and grit. She allows herself to feel it all, the sadness, the strength, and the small moments of laughter in between, and keeps pushing forward with courage and grace. Her resilience and heart remind everyone around her that true strength is found in showing up, even on the hardest days.

Every prayer, share, and donation helps more than words can say. Thank you for standing beside Ashley and her family during this difficult situation that life has thrown at them.

if you want to directly donate to Ashley she also has Venmo Ashley-Ranta-2

I will continue to post updates throughout Ashley’s journey