Ashley is a Des Moines, Iowa native. This 10-year old Heart Hero was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a congenital heart defect that refers to a combination of four related heart abnormalities. Ashley underwent her TOF repair at six months old, had a pulmonary valve placement at four years, and recently had a replacement of her pulmonary valve.

For the Ashley’s family, the Heart Hero Cape “is a symbol of how much these kids overcome daily. They are strong beyond belief and the cape just helps to symbolize how strong they have had to be to endure the things they do.” Enjoying Ashley’s birthday each year is a tremendous celebration for the family- because each year they realize they are blessed with one more time to blow out candles and celebrate the gift they were given.

Ashley loves to share her love of reading with her friends and encourages people to volunteer their time to help others. Ashley’s mom describes her as a “hugely caring person who thinks of others before herself. She has had to be so strong not only during her surgeries but before and after.” Sounds like the true definition of a Heart Hero. <3