Support Ashley's Fight Against Stage 4 Cancer

Ashley Grube, my sister-in-law, was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2024. Her journey has been daunting, to say the least. After finding a lump in her breast, she went to the doctor and was initially diagnosed with stage two ductal carcinoma. Then they found out that the cancer was in her lymph nodes. Right before Christmas, they discovered it had spread to her bones, putting her at STAGE FOUR breast cancer.

Ashley has had some adverse chemotherapy reactions, and the doctor has not cleared her to return to work. Unfortunately, her short-term disability has run out. Due to the stipulations of FMLA, her position at work is gone, as she has been out for more than 12 weeks. If and when she is cleared to return, she will start at the lowest pay, in whatever position happens to be available at that time. Despite working for years in a management position, she has lost her pay rate and all seniority.

Ashley is in the process of applying for long-term disability, but it is not guaranteed.

Even with insurance, the cost of cancer treatment is high. Now that she has lost her income, the financial strain of cancer has become even more significant.

Ashley started supporting herself at only 15 years old and has worked hard ever since. She's fiercely independent and self-reliant, one of the hardest workers I know.

She's seen many setbacks in her life, from an abusive stepfather, teen pregnancy, leaving school in eighth grade, toxic marriages, and the death of a spouse, ironically to cancer, to many other difficult circumstances. Ashley always says, "It is what it is," and just keeps going and working hard.

Not only does she face her own hardships with grit and determination, but she's the first one to help others in need. Whether taking in distant relatives in need as foster kids, caring for her own grandchildren, helping her friends, or sharing any material things she's acquired with anybody around her, she's always giving. Ashley will help others even when it means going without or stretching herself too thin. She has a huge heart. Ashley is always laughing and trying to make other people laugh at the silliest everyday things. Ashley makes life more fun.

I want Ashley to be able to focus on fighting this battle against cancer without worrying about if she can afford her treatment bills and basic cost of living. She needs to know her basic needs will be taken care of so she can focus on her husband, her kids, her grandchildren, and her friends and extended family.

Ashley is blessed with a wonderful family, including three young adult children. Just a few years ago, she finally found her soulmate in her husband Merle, a hardworking man who is her greatest support. Ashley has a ten-year-old granddaughter named Ava, who she describes as "her world," as well as a sweet new granddaughter, Adely, who is turning one in a few weeks. Ashley's beautiful eighty-six-year-old Mamaw, Nell, who is still on this earth, finds so much joy in visiting with Ashley. Ashley's precious time and energy should be spent with loving sweet loved ones, rather than worrying about making ends meet and paying doctor's bills.