Our Story

“You are my sunshine my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey, you never know dear how much I love you, please don’t take my sunshine away”

Ashley’s Angels Fund was established in 2009 following our daughter’s liver transplant at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. In January 2009 our previously very healthy 2-year-old daughter became yellow (jaundiced) and she was diagnosed shortly thereafter with a condition called acute liver failure, a very serious condition in which her liver function was deteriorating rapidly and a liver transplant needed to be performed imminently to save her life. Fortunately her Aunt was able to donate a portion of her liver through the Living Liver Donor Program at The Toronto General Hospital, and working in partnership with the Liver Transplant Program at The Hospital for Sick Children, our daughter was able to receive this life-saving treatment. It is this story that led to our desire to give back to the hospital that saved our daughter's life, to help improve the health and wellbeing of liver transplant recipients, to recognize heroes, and to celebrate life.

“The day of Ashley’s surgery she was very lethargic and the only place she wanted to be was in our arms. She was carefully watching the medical team as they prepared for her surgery. As we held her one last time, it was so physically difficult to let go of her. We were filled with fear. Fearful that she was about to undergo one of the most invasive surgeries a person can have. Over and over again playing on our minds were the many discussions with the medical team about all the risks involved. As the operating doors closed behind our Ashley the emotional pain set in. A pain like we have never felt before. It hurt to think, breath, and move. It still didn’t feel like this was really happening. However, we were trying desperately to stay hopeful. After 11 hours of surgery, the surgeons entered the waiting room and indicated that everything went as well as it could have. She went to the recovery room in the critical care department not long after. She was released from the hospital 13 days later.

Ashley is now doing remarkably well. She is recovering according to plan, but still requires daily medicines and regular hospital visits, which will likely continue for her entire life. We still don’t know what caused her acute liver failure, however the specialists suspect it was viral related. It is unfair for any child, parent or family to go through something like this, even though our story is a best case scenario so far. Unfortunately, due to a limited availability of organ donations or living liver donors, other children may not be so fortunate.”

We are extremely thankful to all of Ashley’s Angels:

To Ashley’s Aunt who donated a portion of her liver, you are truly an inspiration and our family’s hero. Thank you for giving us everything by saving our daughter’s life. Donating a portion of your liver came with so many possible short term and long term health risks for you; however you never once wavered from this heroic deed. There are no words to explain how thankful we are that you gave the gift of life to our Ashley.

We are thankful to have access to a world class multidisciplinary team at The Hospital for Sick Children. It’s truly an amazing hospital. Throughout this whole experience we were comforted to know we were with the finest medical staff. Thank you for saving Ashley’s life and your commitment to improve the lives of children and their families in Canada and around the world.

Thank you to Toronto General Hospital for your quick response in undertaking the necessary procedures to screen potential liver donors. Without your prompt attention to this urgent situation Ashley’s outcome may not have been so successful. We also want to thank Toronto General Hospital for the great care they provided to Ashley’s Aunt during the expedited workup, 8 hour surgery and post recovery.

We could not have made it through this journey without the love and support of both of our parents who were with us almost daily. To our sisters, brothers, and friends, thank you for your love, support, and prayers.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is though nothing is a miracle. The other is that everything is a miracle” Albert Einstein.