Ashley's Story

Ashley was a bright, active & happy 19 year old that had just returned from holiday with her partner when she complained of pains in her chest.

After the doctors diagnosed her with stage 4 non Hodgkin’s lymphoma her & her families whole world changed.

Ashley was extremely poorly, her cancer was aggressive and best 6 different types of chemo over a year. They were then told that there was nothing more the doctors could do. Thankfully the perseverance, resilience and a touch of stubbornness of the Carter Lawlor family and the wonderful team at The Christie research hospital meant that they put her forward for a trial treatment.
This trial was intense, a stem cell transplant, 14 days of hardcore high dose chemo & Ashley’s weight plummeting to 2 1/2 stone she was eventually given the news that she could go home.

Ashley began living a wonderful life, progressing In hospitality and becoming a well loved face in Manchesters culture scene,

At the age of 30 she was told that the trigeminal neuralgia that she was suffering from was an epidermoid brain tumour. The fight started again, a tumour removal, a VP shunt fitted due to fluid on the brain and multiple stays over many years at the hospital.

As always her family powered through

‘Were rhinos, strong head, warm heart’

She was told 2 years ago that there was no sign of the tumour and she would be kept on annual appointments. ‘Winner’

Last year, Ashley’s fiance saw a lump in her arm and after many back & forths the to doctors and medical professionals she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma

On December 23rd her arm was amputated above the elbow. There have been so many tears, tantrums & laughter on this journey…

Trying to rip toilet paper in the bathroom, opening a jar of pickled onions, slicing a lime for that much needed g&t. Everything was a new challenge but she got there.

Two weeks ago Ashley found out that the sarcoma had spread and now she has lung mets. Her treatment will start next week and it’s likely she will require chemo (Ashley’s nightmare scenario)

This amazingly generous gift from The Ben Saunders Foundation and its supporters has arrived with perfect timing for her, her fiance Karl and her mum Angela. They are more than ready to relax, switch off and enjoy some quality time.

We thank you all so much for inviting us and we will carry on telling Bens story and discussing how we can all do more to fight this.

Thank you Ben, Tom, Jo and all of the wonderful people involved.