This Selfless Mother's Story Will Have You in Tears

Self-sacrifice for one's child is the greatest act of love a mother can perform — for 24-year-old Ashley Bridges of Menifee, CA, such a sacrifice was made before her daughter was even born. In 2013, Bridges was happy, living life with her 5-year-old son and her fiancé; however, she was plagued by a progressively painful ache in her right knee. After being brushed off by doctors for months, the young mother was finally referred to a specialist when she lost the ability to walk. The diagnosis was bleak: extremely aggressive bone cancer. Upon hearing the news, Ashley was crushed . . . the cancer news came mere weeks after she found out that she was pregnant with her second child.

Doctors urged Bridges to begin chemotherapy for her osteosarcoma, divulging that the lifesaving treatment would require her to terminate the pregnancy. In an incredible act of self-sacrifice, Ashley decided to forgo the chemical cancer treatment to save the life of her unborn daughter. With the support of her family and fiancé, a military member named Jonathan Caughey, Bridges delayed any medical intervention that could affect her pregnancy. "I'm not going to kill a healthy baby because I'm sick. There's nothing wrong with her. Her life is just as important as mine if not more important. I mean as a mother my job is to protect my kids," she said of her selfless decision.

Ashley welcomed baby Paisley in July 2014, but by then the cancer had spread throughout her body. The cancer was terminal, leading doctors to estimate that she had mere months to live. Bridges and her fiancé decided to push up their wedding date, marrying in November in front of their two kids and many loved ones. The newlywed mother now strives to see her daughter's first birthday, but the cancer is a day-to-day struggle. "I want my kids to know how much I love them and how much I fought for them," Bridges said of her battle for health.

Our hearts go out to Ashley, Paisley, 6-year-old Braiden, and Jonathan, who have received outpourings of support (both financial and emotional) from all over the world. Hopefully, the family is able to find peace during this heartbreaking time.