Girl Scout with ITP sees opportunity to help others.
November 11, 2013; Posted by: webleed staff
Ashley Elwell, a highschool freshman in Garner, NC has turned her situation into an opportunity to help others. Ashley was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) in May of 2012 when a low platelet count was discovered during a trip to the Emergency Room.
Upon visiting UNC Hospital’s Pediatric Hematology-Oncology department for treatment she couldn’t help but notice the non-patient siblings in the waiting area. “I noticed how sad a lot of the siblings were,” Ashley told the News Observer. So she collected donations and put together more than 100 packages for the siblings of cancer and/or blood disorder patients as a Girl Scout project.
“It made me mature a lot. I realized how much I really had,” Ashley said, reflecting on her condition. “I’m a lot more comfortable around people. It’s also made me want to help people a lot more.”
Here at webleed.org we are happy that there are people like Ashley and her family that selflessly go above and beyond for others even in the face of their own hardship. Well done Ashley. Keep up the great work.
To learn more about ITP please visit the Platelet Disorder Support Association.
Photo Credit: Kyle Jahner, News Observer; Courtesy of Bruce Elwell
