In January 2021 Ashley Herman ‘21 was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during her senior year. Last year her design for the Green Bay Packers “My Cause, My Cleats” program was selected by Aaron Jones! On December 12, 2021 Jones wore the cleats she designed during the Sunday night game with the Chicago Bears, with Ashley and her family cheering in the stands!
My Cause, My Cleats
Click here to watch #AshleyStrong Part 1: My cause, my cleats
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Click here to watch #AshleyStrong Part 2: The reveal
A Special Message from Ashley
In January of 2021, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This form of lymphoma typically responds to ordinary treatment, however, this wasn’t the case for me. I didn’t respond to two forms of treatment and we had to move onto a third chemotherapy regimen that was barely tolerable but put me into remission. This wasn’t the end, however. I prepared for a month-long stay in the hospital in Milwaukee for a stem cell transplant. I had complications along the way and ended up in the ICU twice from fluid around my lungs and a rare form of sterile pneumonia. Eventually, with lots of prayers and an amazing team of doctors, I was sent home and on the road to recovery. I am currently in remission and look back in awe at the journey I have been through.
I am often asked “How did you do it?” But the real question is not how ‘I’ did it but ‘we’. I was never alone from the start. Throughout my treatment, my teachers, classmates, and community rallied behind me and gave me the strength I needed to be where I am today. For example, my high school prom was scheduled for the week I had treatment but that was changed when my principle found out I wouldn’t be able to make it, I was able to walk up on stage and receive my high school diploma only two days after treatment with the help of many incredible individuals, my teachers always prioritized my health and worked around my treatments and needs when completing assignments, my school organized a shirt fundraiser with all proceeds going to my medical costs, and my Columbus family welcomed me home by lining my street the day I came home from the hospital. These are just a few examples of how incredible the CCS family has been to me and my family. We are forever thankful for all of the love, prayers, and support that we have received from you all.
Love, Ashley & Family