I wish to go to Disney World
Ashley
4
cancer
Where Are They Now? | Ashley Brooks
Ashley was two and a half years old when she was diagnosed with liver cancer. Her medical journey led her down a path that wouldn’t have been possible without her wish experience with Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas. “My family was extremely impacted by my diagnosis,” said Ashley. “My mother fainted when she was told by my doctors that I had days to live. I went through chemotherapy for 18 months, ten minutes a day. I was constantly in and out of the hospital which was really tough on my family.” Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas visited Ashley and her family while she was in remission around age 4. Ashley, although
Ashley was two and a half years old when she was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Her medical journey led her down a path that wouldn’t have been possible without her wish experience with Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas.
“My family was extremely impacted by my diagnosis,” said Ashley. “My mother fainted when she was told by my doctors that I had days to live. I went through chemotherapy for 18 months, ten minutes a day. I was constantly in and out of the hospital which was really tough on my family.”
Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas visited Ashley and her family while she was in remission around age 4. Ashley, although she was only a toddler, decided she wanted to go to Disneyland for her wish. Her mom, dad and 12-year-old brother came along for Ashley’s wish.
“Make-A-Wish is a blessing,” said Ashley. “That wish and trip to Disneyland was the family vacation that brought us together after everything I went through. My wish was my family's time of happiness. After a year of constant hospital visits, this was a time for our family to get some healing and we didn’t have to worry about going to the doctors.”
Today, Ashley is considered cancer free. She is a CNA and works alongside patients with similar stories. She is currently pursuing her 2nd bachelor's degree in nursing from Barry University in Miami, Florida. She lives in a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is often reminded of her wish to go to Disneyland.
“Sharing my story is a testimony of how far I’ve come. Sometimes in life we get stuck. We’re too hard on ourselves and we want more than we have.”
Ashley Brooks
“I think of all the things I’ve done to get to this point in my life, that’s my biggest reward. Being able to use my past to help appreciate life by treating and connecting with other patients and survivors. It’s awesome to be able to say I’ve received a wish.”
Ashley has been an active volunteer and fundraising with numerous organizations and even helped deliver food to kids receiving chemotherapy at various children's hospitals in her community. Her wish has inspired her to continue to make a positive difference for those in need.