From a Mother’s Heart As a mom, nothing can prepare you for the moment when your daughter looks you in the eye and tells you she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. Ashleigh was only 27 years old when our world stopped.
What saved her life was something so simple, yet so powerful: she knew her body, trusted her instincts, and spoke up when something didn’t feel right. She wasn’t afraid to push for answers. That decision—at such a young age—changed everything.
This is why I feel so strongly that we, as mothers, have a responsibility to teach our daughters early on:
- To know their bodies.
- To never ignore when something feels off.
- To speak up and insist on being heard.
- To get tested early, even if they’re told they’re “too young.”
Ashleigh’s story is proof that awareness and action can save lives.
Ashleigh’s Journey
In April 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Ashleigh did a self-exam—something she didn’t normally do. She found a lump. At first, she was told it was likely nothing. But she pushed for more testing. Within days, she received the devastating diagnosis: Stage 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma that had already spread to her lymph nodes.
From that moment forward, she fought with everything she had. She started chemo just 8 days after diagnosis. 16 rounds of Chemo, by her 2nd or 3rd round, her tumor had already shrunk by 50%. She underwent a double mastectomy on September 23rd, followed by 28 rounds of radiation and later reconstruction surgery. On September 25, 2020, we got the news we had prayed for: No Evidence of Disease.
Today, Ashleigh is entering her 5th year of being cancer free. She has since married the love of her life, bought her first home, and continues to inspire others with her strength.
Why We Share ThisWe share Ashleigh’s journey not only to celebrate her survival but to encourage other mothers and daughters to take charge of their health. Early detection matters. Awareness matters. Speaking up matters.
And now, as we step into this milestone year, we’re asking for your help. Please consider supporting Ashleigh’s fundraising efforts as we continue raising awareness, supporting research, and walking in honor of every warrior still fighting this battle.
Together, we can save lives.
DONATE HERE
http://www.info-komen.org/goto/Ashleigh5yearcancerfree
Mamas, don’t be afraid to talk to your daughters about touching their boobies. They need to know what feels normal so they’ll notice when something feels different.
Ashleigh’s cancer was so aggressive, and if she had waited even a couple more weeks, it could have been stage 4 — and maybe too late. That thought chills me every time.
This isn’t about embarrassment. It’s about our girls knowing their bodies and speaking up. Early checks save lives — my daughter is living proof.
