Ashley Kirilow – A Fighter

Ashley's Battle for Drug Funding

Oct 10, 2009 Malene Jorgensen

As if being a cancer patient is not challenging enough, a young woman from Canada decides that she will no longer be a victim, but aims to be the saviour instead.

Fighting cancer is no easy task and Ashley Kirilow should know. Diagnosed with cancer in June, 2008, this 22 year old woman from Burlington, Ontario is fighting everyday to beat this horrific disease. Instead of inhabiting the role of the cancer-victim, Ashley is dedicating most of her time outside of treatment to her new pride and joy – a foundation called “Change” for a Cure”.

This is Ashley’s Story

Ashley, being a cancer patient for over a year now, was first diagnosed in June, 2008 with a breast cancer called sarcoma. It spread quickly and just a few months later, it was discovered that she also had a secondary brain tumour in her central lobe on the right side of her brain. This type of tumour vastly affects the body’s typical motor functioning skills.

On top of this diagnosing, Ashley’s journey with this life threatening disease continued as she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Furthermore, this cancer spread to her stomach, leaving her with another type of sarcoma in her stomach, more specifically in the soft muscle tissue.

Ashley has gone through surgeries to remove the cancer. While her breast cancer operation has now passed, she does have an upcoming surgery in October, 2008 to remove the cancer inhabiting her stomach. She has also been on five different types of treatments throughout the past year and a half, although it has been a difficult challenge to find something that works – hence the constant spreading of her numerous types of cancers.

For current treatment, Ashley is on an IV chemotherapy called Taxol, which is a bi-weekly treatment. Each session is about four hours long and appears to be showing great progress. “I hope this continues because it has been a very long and hard year and a half,” Ashley says. “But I will knock on wood so I don’t jinx that hope.”

Despite her severe case of cancer and her bi-weekly treatment, Ashley has found something to support and motivate her. With the suggestions of friends, she has started her own foundation.

Her Foundation

Ashley admits that the inspiration for the foundation is not necessarily a positive one. She explains that she was sitting on the computer one night. “At 2 am, a friend showed me this YouTube video from the news about a drug that has been proven to cure cancer, but no company wants to fund this drug because it is not worth anything to them.” Ashley recognizes the problematic situation, as the drug mentioned on the news is cheap and thus, not profitable. “All they care about is money,” a frustrated Ashley says. “And unfortunately, cancer is the highest profitable disease right now.”

After seeing the video, Ashley is tired, frustrated and angry. Being a cancer patient, she finds that this is a disgrace. “I was tired and now in a bad mood from watching this video and as a joke, I said to my friends, ‘Everyone save any spare change they have and give it to me, so I can raise a million dollars and fund this drug and save all cancer patients and myself along the way.’ Then I made a play on words and said, 'Together we 'change' the world, one penny at a time.' This is now my slogan,” Ashley says proudly. “I should probably copyright it,” she adds with a smile.

With the support of her friends, she has made a group page on Facebook. It is called “‘Change’ for a Cure”. Ashley admits that she is shocked to see the growth and awareness this group has caused. Only after a week and three days, there are over 2000 supporters from all over the world, asking how they can help.

After only a week and a half, Ashley has received support from several sources, including Matt Tobin from the band Dead and Divine, who has offered to design T-Shirts for the foundation. Furthermore, her friend Cory from Civilian Printing is helping Ashley with the printing of the shirt at special low costs, especially for her foundation. She has also been asked to attend several events in the upcoming months to promote “‘Change’ for a Cure.”

“I did not think it would happen as fast as it did. It has only been a week and a half!” Ashley adds in joy. “There are a million things and ideas I have in my head that I want to do with this foundation. This is now my pride and joy and I am going to take it so far.”

This inspiration cannot be found many places and once it does appear, one needs to place it on a pedestal and embrace it. As Ashley fights for the cure, it is crucial that she does not stand alone. To learn more about “‘Change’ for a Cure,” please read the article “Change” For a Cure.

The copyright of the article Ashley Kirilow – A Fighter in General Medicine is owned by Malene Jorgensen. Permission to republish Ashley Kirilow – A Fighter in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ashley Kirilow