STORY SUMMARY
In Rochester, a young woman has come full circle from patient to nurse after a life-changing experience. Ashlyn, diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia in 2020, was treated at Mayo Clinic with a bone marrow transplant. The grueling journey, including months in the hospital, inspired her to pursue nursing. Now, with her degree from Rochester Community and Technical College, she has returned to the very unit where she fought for her life, determined to help others facing similar battles. Ashlyn’s story highlights the critical need for bone marrow donors, urging young people to consider donating. More information on becoming a potential donor can be found at care11.com.
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FULL STORY
A young woman’s journey through illness has ultimately led her to a fulfilling career in nursing, providing hope and support to patients at the same facility where she once received life-saving treatment. Ashly, who recently relocated to Rochester, arrived to an empty apartment furnished only with a ceiling fan and her brother’s old college futon. Her return to Rochester marks a full-circle moment as she joins the Mayo Clinic, where her life was dramatically altered four years ago by a severe diagnosis.
In February 2020, while completing high school in Red Wing and playing soccer at Dakota County Technical College, Ashly was suddenly faced with severe aplastic anemia, a condition that would be fatal if untreated. Dr. Hassan Al Kat, her doctor at Mayo Clinic, swiftly approved her for a bone marrow transplant, which involved receiving marrow from a donor in Greece. The ensuing months were grueling, filled with recovery challenges as she lived at a nearby transplant house, far from her home.
Now with a nursing degree from Rochester Community and Technical College, Ashly has returned to Mayo Clinic not as a patient, but as a registered nurse. Her deeply personal experience fuels her dedication to helping others facing similar struggles. Patients like Sue Wesley, who is preparing for her own bone marrow transplant, find reassurance in Ashly’s story and empathetic care. Having conquered her health battles, Ashly is now committed to giving back, bolstered by her firsthand understanding and compassion. She continues to embody the resilience and hope that characterized her own recovery journey.
