Ashley Barrasso is a fighter. Starting after she was born in 1984, she spent her childhood in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices as she battled neuroblastoma. The first time at 18 months and again at 12 years old. She successfully beat cancer both times undergoing bother bone-marrow transplants and chemotherapy, after only receiving a 10% chance of survival. Ashley's treatment was an experimental program created by a team of doctors headed by Dr. Albo. Dr. Albo's approach to Ashley's cancer treatment became the model for researching and treating pediatric cancer by consulting with top doctors and researchers across the country to create an individualized treatment program. During her second battle of cancer she had the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch in Wilkinsburg. On December 1, 2001, Ashley was passed the torch from family friend and fellow cancer survivor Mario Lemieux.
Ashley is the eldest daughter of former Pittsburgh Penguin's and Carolina Hurricane's goaltender Tom Barrasso and his wife Megan. At the age of 21, Ashley graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts with the hopes of being a child life specialist. Due to her experiences in the hospitals as a child, Ashley wants to help children who are in the hospital have a more positive experience when dealing with his or her medical difficulties. Her history gives her a unique perspective when helping children undergoing treatment because she can relate to them her own personal story.
Ashley and her parents created the Ashley Barrasso Cancer Research Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation to help fund medical research related to childhood cancer. The Barrassos family were beneficiaries of cancer research and want to continue the work that allowed them to have a healthy and happy daughter.
Type of Fund
- Advised