Welcome to Ash's Liver Life Walk Page

In Memory of Zoey
Support Ashley!	Join Ashley's Team!
ALF-DSW
Achievements Gold Medal Gold Medal Fundraising Status Personal Gift Has made a donation to this event
My Progress Goal: $1,500.00 Achieved: $1,105.00	Fundraising Honor Roll Joe & Donna Benedetto $500.00 Anonymous $250.00 Allison & Craig Drew $100.00 Ashley & Matt Drew $50.00 Donna & Erin Benedetto - Baby Pool Guesses $40.00 Janet Drew $25.00 Fishie $25.00 Leo Miller $25.00 Wendi WIllock $25.00 Rachel Hancock $25.00 Cortni Stokes $20.00 Margaret Drew $20.00

To My Wonderful Friends & Family!

It's that time of year again!  On Saturday, April 13th, I will be walking in the Liver Life Walk Phoenix to raise money in memory of Zoey, this little girl in the photo lost the fight against liver disease at the age of just 6 months old. Now that Matty and I are getting ready to be parents, I couldn't imagine losing our little girl so I need your help to bring more awareness so families like the Dockal's don't have to lose their children at such a young age! Here is her story:

Zoey was born on June 14, 2011, it was a rough start but after days in the NICU, she made it home. In November things began to change and her parents knew something was wrong.  They ended up at Texas Children?s Hospital Med Center where an MRI uncovered a large mass on her liver (larger than the liver itself) and also found lots of fluid around her heart. A biopsy of the tissue of the mass was done and on Friday morning, November 18, Zoeys family was visited by Hematology/Oncology doctors where they were informed that the cancerous tumor was called a hepatoblastoma.  The best way to deal with this was to have a liver transplant.  

Zoeys surgery took 6 1/2 hours, her liver was removed and the doctor reported that it was half her body weight. The new liver was put in, but there were some concerns that the artery that helps the liver function may not be working too well.

Though doctors had managed to keep her vitals/numbers in the low, but acceptable range, Zoey, was getting weaker and worse. They took her off the ventilator and put her on the oscillator (another breathing machine that provides more oxygen). They also started dialysis. The goal was to help better oxygenate her body and get rid of as much of the fluid as possible.  Zoey continued to remain unstable and her heart function wasn?t good which was affecting her respiratory system, her liver, and her kidneys.  On December 8, 2011, Zoey couldn?t fight the fight any longer.

Every step I take and every dollar I raise will make a difference in the lives of the 30 million Americans living with liver disease. By making a donation on my behalf, you will be helping the American Liver Foundation provide community-based education and prevention programs, protect the rights of people with liver disease, and fund critical research.

If everyone made a $20 tax deductible donation on my behalf, I would be able to exceed my goal of $1,500.  Last year, thanks to all of your support, I was able to raise $1,350 for liver disease research.

Donating is easy! Just click http://go.liverfoundation.org/goto/adrew2511, then click the "Support Ashley" button to get started! Or if you want to mail checks, please send them to my office at 4545 E. Shea Blvd, Ste. 164 Phoenix, AZ 85028.

Thank you so much for all your generosity and support!  I truly appreciate all your help!

Love Always,

Ash

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