The little girl above is our daughter, Ashley, who was born on
August 28, 2001 with a rare, very aggressive form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma.

This solid tumor was on her tongue at birth during the delivery process. The weeks after her birth included numerous doctor visits to
check the progress of the tumor, unknown at the time to be cancer.  It was fast growing so it quickly became impossible to breast feed,
then impossible to feed using a bottle.  Ashley could not suck on a pacifier, nor could she keep this growing tumor inside her mouth.  It was
frightening to look at so we had to keep her from the outside world because it scared young kids.  What was suppose to be a precious time
in our lives instead, became a horrifying experience.

October 3, 2001 marks the day for many life changing events in our lives.  Ashley endured emergency surgery to remove the tumor that
was now measuring over 2.7cm and covering 1/3 of her tongue.

After surgery, we were told she may never talk, or even if she talks there was no guarantee that Ashley will talk well.  We were also told
that treating a newborn with cancer will be difficult, and the truth of the reality is that if the cancer doesn't kill her - the chemo might.  So
here we were, standing over our daughter who was incubated and in ICU, trying to figure out what to do next.  This day also marks the day
that we, David and Christina Lillig, renewed our marriage vows while holding one another by the water fountain outside Scottish Rite,
praying for God to take control of our lives and help us get through this.  

We realized we had no control over the outcome with Ashley.  Nothing we did could stop what was going on! Our newborn baby has Cancer!
The only thing we knew we could do as parents was offer the best life possible to our children...a home full of laughter, joy and hope. We
dedicated our lives to Jesus at that very moment and gave up our own selfishness.  We devoted all our time and energy to making sure we
kept a huge smile on our face and always kept Ashley laughing, in the midst of the scariest moment of our lives.  Christina would only cry in
the shower where no one could hear her.  We truly felt it was very important that Ashley never saw less than a smile on our face.

Many caring individuals on an online pregnancy message board (Geoparent) that Christina belonged to while pregnant heard of Ashley's
journey and began spreading the word of how Ashley needed a special type of clothing (she needed button front onesies due to a central
line in her chest), and then started sending cards, money, gifts, etc. to encourage and uplift the entire family. We quickly became friends
with our local Fed-ex driver because the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas 2001 was delivery after delivery every single day.  Inside were
the onesies Ashley needed, baby food, diapers, even Christmas gifts for the family.  

David's employer at that time, Day's Chevrolet, helped by raising money to help keep our health insurance in effect several times when
Ashley was hospitalized so he could be with her.

In addition, Ashley's pediatrician's office sponsored our kids for Christmas that year and really went way and beyond to give our kids the
best Christmas ever and take all of our minds off of our circumstances.

All this unexpected outpouring of love really showed us how caring people can be during tragic times, and really encouraged our family
when it felt we couldn't go on.  This encouragement also helped us give better care to Ashley because our spirits were uplifted. We are so
grateful to God that all these people all over the world cared enough about what we were going through to let us know.

Ashley finished 48 weeks of intense chemotherapy on August 30, 2002, just 2 days after she turned 1 year old.  During our daughter's
battle, we grew close to a little 2-1/2 yr old Canadian girl, Ashley Dawn, and after watching her lose the battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma,
we just couldn't forget that thousands of children every single day battle cancer and need encouragement as well.  We began praying
about our direction and allowed God to guide our paths as we founded Cancer Warriors to touch the lives of other children battling cancer
in the same way others touched our lives.  It's kind of a "Pay it Forward" in a way.

Ashley loves to get involved and goes with us to the cancer unit of the hospital often as we visit families.  She'll draw pictures to give out,
help us hand out toys and other special gifts, deliver a meal, etc.  Most of all she shows compassion over what they are going through
because she's been there herself!
This Page Is Dedicated To Telling The Story Of How One Amazing Young Life Changed Lives Forever And Now Offers Hope And
Encouragement To Others!
Picture of Ashley on 10/2/01
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Picture of Ashley 12/16/06
CANCER FREE!
We are made over comers by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony
"Because Kids Get Cancer Too!"
Cancer Warriors, Inc.
Help For Children Battling Cancer
Cancer Warriors
Founder,
Christina Lillig
with daughter, Ashley
Picture taken 10/2/01
A 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation