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"Change" for a Cure

Ashley Kirilow’s Foundation for Drug Funding

Oct 10, 2009 Malene Jorgensen

After fighting cancer for a year and a half, this young woman has found her calling by creating a foundation, collecting change for funding.

As if fighting several types of cancer is not enough for Ashley Kirilow, adding to her daily activities of treatment and side-effects, she has now taken it upon herself to ‘change’ the world, one penny at a time.

The Foundation – Changing the World, One Penny at a Time

The goal of the foundation is simple; spreading awareness about cancer and methods of treatment and prevention. Although this might be similar to many other cancer funds, Ashley’s story is different: Her motivation stems from her anger. Her motivation to start her foundation comes from her knowledge of a drug called DCA – or Dichloroacetic Acid. According to a news story provided by CTV, this drug has been proven to fight cancer. However, the drug is not being funded as it would not make a profit for the pharmaceutical sector.

Feeling helpless as a cancer patient, well knowing that there is a drug out there to help cure this dangerous disease, Ashley took it upon herself to fund it. She created the foundation “‘Change’ for a Cure”, where she encourages people to collect spare change, whether from school hallways, the office or on the streets.

To learn more about the cause, one can visit the foundation’s Facebook group or read the relevant blog, where discussion frequently takes place about the money donated and what will happen with it. Since the foundation is rather new, Ashley is working on setting up PayPal accounts for those from afar. Until every detail of the cause functions as she wishes, Ashley encourages people to start their own “change” for a cure jars, collecting at home or as a community.

Although one might think that simple pocket change might not make a big difference, Ashley’s initiative to start her cause proves this is not so. At this early stage of the project, several individuals have already sent Ashley cheques and money orders to support her cause and she receives e-mails daily from people wanting to help out. “My first goal is to reach $10,000 total,” she says proudly. “I will then make one big cheque, have a celebration and then send the cheque to the funding program for this drug.”

The High Hopes for Ashley’s Pride and Joy

Collecting spare change for funding seems to simply be the beginning for the foundation. For now, Ashley is satisfied to go to local shows and concerts, setting up a table and spreading awareness of the disease and her cause by selling T-shirts. “I will sell them for very cheap, like $10, so everyone can afford them,” she says. “All of the money earned from the sales go directly into the “‘Change’ for a Cure” account.”

Ashley wants to make sure that supporters know that she is not earning a personal profit from this foundation and selling of merchandise. She underlines that this is all non-profit and that every penny goes to funding cancer research. “Once I start feeling better, I want to start a “‘Change’ for a Cure” team, where I can travel everywhere and do events, visit schools, give presentations, hold benefits and tour with bands to promote cancer funding, research and my foundation,” Ashley adds.

Her inspiration for pushing forward and creating a team stems from her hero, Rob Dyer, who also has a foundation of his own, called Skate 4 Cancer. Rob skates around the word and raises money for cancer research and prevention. After 7 years, Rob has established quite an empire, receiving sponsors such as Element and Circa, who pay for his awareness trips and support him through clothing and skateboards. Through his hard work, he is now coming out with a shoe line in hopes of donating more money for cancer research.

“I want to take my cause to that level,” Ashley says. “And I will! Nothing will stop me!” It is hard to ignore her passion to spread awareness and work at making her cause grow larger every day of the week. On November 21st, 2009, Ashley will be attending the Everlea, Aberdeen and Mandy K show in Toronto, Ontario, to spread awareness about her cause. This event will be at the MOD Club and tickets are currently available.

“I hope to get the word out about my cause and hopefully get a sponsor or two to help and support me and make my dream come true. This foundation is everything to me and is now my life – my pride and joy. This is my calling.”

To learn more about Ashley’s personal struggle with cancer and her inspiration and motivation behind her foundation, please read the article Ashley Kirilow – a Fighter.

The copyright of the article "Change" for a Cure in General Medicine is owned by Malene Jorgensen. Permission to republish "Change" for a Cure in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ashley Kirilow