Mission Moments — Ashley Aven

Our season has been dedicated to the memory of Ashley Aven, a young woman who recently lost her battle with cancer. Her father came to our run a couple weekends ago and talked with great emotion about his daughter, her battle, her spirit and how important what we are doing is to cancer patients and their families.

Here is a letter that Ashley wrote to the TNT team last year:

My name is Ashley K. Aven. Last July, when I was 17, I had finished up my junior year and the end of softball season at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood. Like the rest of my friends and kids my age we were all excited about summer time - and of course no school for a while. As summer break started, I wasn't feeling well. I felt tired, with a couple of headaches here and there. On July 8th I started to spike a fever. Of course, like everyone else I thought it might be swine flu. Well, the fever would not go away or the headache, so we went to my regular doctor who I have had seen all my life. They did some blood work and obviously did not like the results so they sent us to Seattle Children’s emergency room. It was kind of scary, but, I had my mom and dad with me and you’re always alright if your parents are with you.

I gave Children’s Hospital some more blood, and it took them less than two hours to come right back into my room and explain to me and my parents that I had AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). This all happened way too fast for all of us, my mom, dad and me sat there in shock. I did not know what to say or do and I sat there and watched my parents try to be strong. My mom started crying, then I did, and of course my dad had the leave the room for a few minutes. From that day on is when I started my race and I am proud to say I am still running...

While in the hospital I went through three rounds of chemo that just kicked my butt, lost weight, lost my hair, but I never quit fighting. We were in the hospital from July 8,2009 until January 2, 2010. After all three rounds, my leukemia is so aggressive that it will not allow the chemotherapy to do its job. My incredible team of doctors gave me the hope and direction to go home and live the best quality of life with my team (MY FAMILY). With no cure right now for my disease I was told in January that I had two months to live. My dad told me we are not living by that schedule. I have incredible support from my team -- MOM, LETICIA (my sister), ERIC (my brother), DAD and every family member I can think of, the community, fellow athletes, journalist, KING 5, my school, the list goes on. And all of these individuals and groups have made up MY TEAM. Now I am bringing them all with me to join YOUR TEAM. I thank you with all my heart and my strength for choosing me to be honored by your team.

Ashley's family has started an organization dedicated to helping the families whose children are battling cancer. You can visit their website, bigdeepbreath.org here.