Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A GoFundMe campaign has been started for Lilith “Lily” Ashby, 2, the brave only child of Loriann and Charlie Ashby who is facing the fight of her life. On Halloween, while other children were trick-or-treating and enjoying time with their family, little Lily, who lives in Great Kills with her parents, received a devastating diagnosis — leukemia. “This all started in early October,” Charlie said. “We were trying to figure out a cough Lily had for about a month. Her first doctor suspected whooping cough and prescribed antibiotics, and for a while, it seemed to work. “But when the cough came back, she developed a high fever and started shivering. We took her to a hospital in Pennsylvania near my mother-in-law’s house — Lehigh Valley Children’s Emergency Room — and the staff there were absolutely incredible.” After an X-ray was taken, Lily was thought to have croup. Following treatment, her numbers improved, and she was sent home. “Then Halloween night came,” Charlie continued. “She had a fever of 104 and was shaking again. This time, when we brought her to the hospital, we asked them to run bloodwork — the only test that hadn’t been done yet. “The first results came back so unusual that they thought it might be a mistake, so they ran it again. When the second test showed the same thing, we knew something was really wrong. Her white blood cell count was 470,000. Shortly after that, they diagnosed her with leukemia. We were devastated.” Immediately following were seemingly endless hospital visits, uncertainty, and unwavering hope for the little Staten Islander. “Lily is our double rainbow miracle baby,” Loriann said, explaining she experienced two pregnancy losses before Lily’s birth. “Before Lily, I was told we had a very slim chance of conceiving. But she defeated the odds. She has always been a fighter, and we know she will face this battle with the same courage.” That fighting spirit is being tested once again as Lily, who turns 3 next month, begins treatment for leukemia. “We received the diagnosis that turned our world upside down,” the family said in a statement. “The road ahead includes ongoing treatments, long hospital stays, and moments of uncertainty. Yet we believe the resilience that brought Lily into our lives will carry her through.” Loriann is pregnant, due with her second child on Feb. 3. “I’m not going to lie — it’s hard,” she said. “I’m definitely neglecting myself trying to make sure she’s okay. I’m taking things day by day, but it gets overwhelming at times.” Charlie said he has been inspired by his daughter’s strength. “I’m so proud of my little girl,” he said. “So all things considered, Lily has been such an amazing fighter. “The amount of testing, procedures, and medication she’s been through this past week would be difficult even for an adult, but she’s stayed so positive through it all. Just yesterday, she had her Mediport put in for chemo, which was about an hour-and-a-half surgery. Today, although groggy, she’s eating, laughing, and making sure we know what she wants to watch on TV. She is so brave, and I am so proud of her.” The Ashbys say they are preparing for a long road ahead, but remain hopeful for brighter days — especially with another baby on the way. “The next couple of years are going to be very rough for all of us,” Charlie said. “But I know in the end it’s all going to be worth it so we can grow together as a family — and so Lily can be a big sister." The Ashbys said they hope to offset the growing costs of treatment, travel, and time away from work with the generosity of donors to the GoFundMe campaign. “Hopefully, it will help ease the growing burden of medical expenses, time away from work, travel for treatments, and the countless other costs that come with this journey,” Loriann said. “Every dollar helps us focus on what matters most — helping Lily heal and keeping our family strong beside her.” “We want nothing more than for her to be healthy, strong, and ready to welcome her baby sister with open arms,” she added. Charlie also expressed gratitude for the pediatric team at Northwell University Hospital North, who have gone the extra mile in caring for Lily. “The staff there have been absolutely tremendous,” he said. “One instance that stood out was when Lily was in the pediatric ICU and had to have her IV dressings changed — something that can be uncomfortable even for adults. The doctors and nurses sang Disney songs to her to keep her calm, and she even sang along. “Another amazing gesture was when we got back to her room after surgery and found art on the wall that said, ‘You are amazing, Lilith!’ That really made an impact.” Daily life for the Ashbys now revolves around Lily’s care. Loriann, a dog walker, and Charlie, who builds scenery for film and television, said their schedules have shifted to focus on their daughter’s treatment and well-being. “Even in the midst of everything, Lily is still a bright, curious child,” Loriann said. “She loves visiting Pirate Park and Wolfe’s Pond Park. She’s a social butterfly who loves playing with other kids and exploring.” The family has found comfort in the support of friends, loved ones, and the kindness of strangers. “Our family and friends have been an amazing village during this tough journey,” Loriann said. “Our greatest wish is for Lily to become cancer-free and to make this a thing of the past. We just want her happy, healthy, and thriving.” For now, the deep bond Loriann shares with Lily is unbreakable. “Lily is definitely a mommy’s girl,” Loriann said. “I was told there was a slim chance I would be able to conceive, but I never gave up. I had two losses prior to Lily, and I know she was the same soul trying to get back to me. “Lily is the piece my heart had been waiting for. When she came, the storms quieted, the heartache dissolved, and love began to grow where loss once lived. My love for my daughter overflows. It fills every corner of my heart and spills into everything I do. My love for her is infinite.”
