improving the lives of children through the art of storytelling
Meet Ashlee
Meet Ashlee (AKA “mom”)
Ashlee was a dancer turned early childhood educator turned cancer caregiver. In 2014, her husband Patrice was diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma, a quote “treatable cancer”. She became the caregiver for her husband, she had to be both mom and dad to their three children, and the sole source of income. May 12, 2016, Patrice died. He was at home, in hospice. Ashlee and the three children were with him, hugging him, holding him, telling him they loved him, when he took his last breath. That same year, Ashlee continued forward and translated her passion for music and dance into a successful multinational children’s program, Zumbini, which she created and developed for Zumba Fitness. She was grateful to be working, although devastated she could not share her success with her husband. In 2019 Ashlee was certified as a “Happy for No Reason” trainer, based on the New York Times Best Selling book of the same name, by Marci Shimoff. A widow and mother of three, she somehow kept her positive, loving, energetic outlook on life. When her son Michael was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, Hepatosplenic T-cell Lymphoma in July of 2020, Ashlee quit her job to be Michael’s full-time caregiver. The journey of Michael’s cancer became a story to share, a purpose to fulfill. The mother and son started a podcast, Michael and Mom Talk Cancer, and soon after, a website, a blog, YouTube videos. They use social media, in particular TikTok and Instagram to update and inspire, as well as motivational speaking within the cancer community. The two lead support groups, Michael for cancer survivors, Ashlee for cancer caregivers. To this day, Michael is still in treatment for many life-threatening complications, including chronic graft versus host disease, as a result of his cancer and bone marrow transplant. But he is alive. Michael and Ashlee continue to do all they can to fulfill their purpose of sharing love and connection, not only with the cancer community, but with anyone who needs inspiration and motivation. Ashlee is absolutely thrilled to be part of Bell Asteri’s beautiful library and mission, and to share Michael’s story in the form of a children’s book.