Honoring Keaton’s Angel – Ashley

We remember our Keaton’s Angel – Ashley

Ashley is a kind-hearted beautiful soul whose personality is as bright as her smile. Ashley’s battle began when she was just 10 months old, diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma which affected her right temporal bone and pushed into her brain. After a year-long fight, she beat her cancer and was eventually declared cancer free. Unfortunately, 15 years later, the unexpected happened when Ashley’s cancer came back, and she was once again diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma for a second time.

Despite having cancer and fighting a tenacious battle, Ashley always had a smile on her face. She loved expressing herself through art and creativity and found comfort in her favorite stuffed animal named “Teddy” who was with her all 18 years, during her first and second cancer battles. Although she spent most of her journey in the hospital receiving inpatient care, Ashley made sure to make the most of it. Her personality quickly made her a favorite amongst her medical team and no matter how she was feeling on any given day, she was always willing to make connections with other kids and teens who needed a friend to talk to. She grew to be a support for other children battling cancer and a true inspiration for those who witnessed the positive impact she shared. Constantly surrounded by love and faith, Ashley’s family was her biggest support system. She cherished the days she was home from the hospital and found joy in creating fun and silly memories with her big sister Brittany. 

After being referred to our program, our team at Keaton’s was fortunate enough to meet Ashley and her family at our Family Movie Night and Holly Jolly Celebration. We had the honor of sharing care packages to lift her spirits on days that seemed harder than others and received many beautiful photos and updates about her journey in exchange. Her sweet personality and fighting spirit was and still is a true inspiration to our team. We will miss her dearly and look forward to honoring her life and legacy through continued support and connections with her loved ones. 

The Unsung Heroes

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family is impacted. In this journey, siblings often become the unsung heroes—quietly showing strength, compassion, and resilience beyond their years.

While the focus is understandably on the child battling cancer, siblings face their own emotional challenges. They may experience feelings of worry, fear, confusion, or even guilt, and it’s important to acknowledge their role and provide support for them as well.

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Stryder

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo Stryder, a fun-loving 5-year-old who enjoys animals and race cars! At just two years old, Stryder was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells, and spreads to distant parts of the body. When Stryder was diagnosed, he was just three months away from celebrating his 3rd Birthday. A time that was supposed to be exciting and celebratory turned into a moment of heartbreak, and what began as an ordinary childhood took a dramatic and heart-wrenching turn, turning his and his family’s world upside down. Despite the weight of his diagnosis and all that’s come with it, Stryder’s spirit has been nothing short of extraordinary.

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Peyton

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo Peyton, a resilient and joyful little girl whose life was forever changed when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at just 3 years old. When Peyton’s mom, Dianna, noticed unusual symptoms like persistent low-grade fevers, pale skin, and unexplained bruises, she followed her instincts and pushed for further tests. This led to the heartbreaking leukemia diagnosis, but Peyton and Dianna quickly found solace in the network of support provided by Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.

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