Community Corner
LI Native, Mom Needs Kidney Transplant, 'Felt Like She Was Dying'
"We are pleading for help." A family vacation turned into a nightmare when a young mom was told she needed a kidney transplant.
MONTAUK, NY — The tight-knit Montauk community is coming together to help a young mother in her time of great need.
A GoFundMe page, "Ashley Reilly Medical Expenses & Child Care" was created by Sara Chapman and Ashley's other friends.
Ashley, the page said, arrived in Montauk from Florida, where she now lives, to visit her mother Tammy Snow. "They immediately knew something was wrong. Ashley 'felt like she was dying.'"
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Ashley was admitted to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney failure, the page said.
"To know Ashley is to love Ashley," her friends said. "Her huge heart and voice have touched so many in our community, and beyond."
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Ashley has two children who are in New York with her and their grandmother right now.
"Although this is a godsend, the other side of the coin comes with many struggles. Tammy herself works full time, and as this small family vacation has turned into something far more serious, we are pleading for help," the page said. "Ashley started dialysis today. With COVID restrictions, it is very hard for anyone to see her. So we need to make sure she is feeling the love."
The GoFundMe page was created to help with medical bills as well as with her children's expenses, her friends said.
In addition, Ashley, whose blood type is "O-negative," is looking for a voluntary donor, the page said. "If you or anyone you know is interested in helping, now is the time."
Ashley wanted to thank those that have rallied so far: "I am floored with the amount of love. The stress of all of this is more manageable because of all the support I receiving. It makes my life a little easier and I can’t really put into words what that does for my family... I just want to be healthy enough to be a good mommy, wife, friend, and daughter."
Her friends added: "The East End community never lets us down. Let’s show that 'Strong Island' love to this beautiful Montauk native."
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