Ashley was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2003. Earlier that year Ashley felt a lump and went to her doctor immediately. She was reassured that it was most likely nothing to worry about. In July she found another lump and her diagnoses was confirmed after returning to the doctor.

The cancer had spread from her neck to her chest, left lung and spleen. Ashley underwent six months of chemotherapy. In March of 2004 Ashley was in remission.

She then dedicated her life to putting together a cancer fundraiser to raise money for lymphoma research. Ashley wanted to give something back.

One week before her Keep on Swimming Gala Ashley was told her cancer had returned. This time the cancer had spread to her neck, chest, lungs, spleen and liver. This development led to Ashley receiving high dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Ashley was an amazing girl. I kept up with her blog called Ashley's Journal. I was so sad to hear that she passed away on April 22, 2006. She left a great legacy behind and did so much for such a young girl.

I can't really put into words how brave and admiring she was so I'm going to quote one of her postings on her blog dated February of this year.

"The words palliative and terminal have come up this week. BUT ...they always come with and IF or a WHEN!! These two words are my HOPE. I am still fighting this disease and I haven't give up or surrendered. Yes, these are very scary times but I am also witnessing my bodies amazing ability to heal"

My brother-in-law came up to me tonight with his iPod and handed me his headsets. A cue to put them on, I guessed -- and so I did. A song played and right away I liked what I heard. It was the exact type of music I like -- with a grungy, rock kind of sound. I figured Jack knows what I like and was sharing a new song with me. Which he was -- but there was something more to it. It wasn't just a good song -- it was a good song about cancer, with a message of hope and strength and living through the struggles of a life that has been shaken. Written by Scott Leger of the Austin-based band wideawake, Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tomorrow is dedicated to the millions of people affected by cancer -- those who have lost, those who have survived, those who fight and volunteer and support and research and raise awareness and give and inspire. And for those without cancer too really. For anyone who is faced with forces that threaten the most precious of assets -- time.