Ashley’s Birthday at the Island Hotel

Ashley was unable to celebrate her 13th birthday (and becoming a teenager!) because she was hospitalized with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. After Ashley’s admission to hospice to pursue comfort and quality of life during the time she had left, SCHF learned that Ashley loved cooking, baking and any show on the Food Network—particularly “Cupcake Wars.”

Ashley was escorted to the Island Hotel Newport Beach, where she was treated like the VIP cooking star she has always wanted to be. Upon arrival at the hotel, her favorite singer, Bruno Mars, was playing in the background and her room was decorated with Happy Birthday signs.

For dinner, she and her little brother wore monogrammed aprons and shared a fabulous cooking demonstration and an exquisite meal prepared by the Island Hotel’s Executive Chef, David Man, and his team. The food included Ashley’s favorite shrimp, of course, creating the perfect ending to a magical 13th birthday celebration!

For more of Ashley’s story, read our feature article in the 2016 SCHF annual report.