On Halloween night, while children roamed the streets in colorful costumes, collecting candy and laughing, the Ashby family of Staten Island faced a reality no parent should ever encounter.

Little Lilith “Lily” Ashby, a bright and curious two-year-old, was about to begin the fight of her life.

Lily had always been the center of her parents’ world. Her mother, Loriann, and father, Charlie, had waited years for her, enduring heartbreak after two pregnancy losses before finally welcoming their “double rainbow miracle baby.”

Her arrival had filled their lives with joy, laughter, and hope.

But on October evenings that had started with mild concerns over a persistent cough, their lives took a terrifying turn.

Charlie recalled how they had first noticed Lily’s cough early in October.

“She had been coughing for about a month,” he said. “At first, her doctor suspected whooping cough and prescribed antibiotics. For a while, it seemed to work.”

However, when the cough returned, it brought with it high fever and uncontrollable shivering.

Loriann and Charlie rushed Lily to a hospital near Charlie’s mother, in Pennsylvania.

The staff at Lehigh Valley Children’s Emergency Room were attentive and compassionate, quickly examining Lily and running tests.

An X-ray suggested croup, and after treatment, Lily’s condition seemed to improve.

Relieved, the family returned home, thinking the worst had passed.

But Halloween night brought a devastating blow.

Lily’s fever spiked to 104, and she shook uncontrollably.

Charlie and Loriann took her to the hospital again, insisting on bloodwork — the one test that had not yet been conducted.

The results were shocking.

Lily’s white blood cell count had soared to 470,000, a number so abnormal that the hospital staff initially suspected a mistake.

When the test was repeated, the numbers were the same.

Doctors delivered news that would shatter the Ashbys’ world: Lily had leukemia.

The diagnosis was devastating.

From that moment, hospital visits became routine, and uncertainty became an unwelcome companion.

Yet, amidst the fear and the tears, there was hope.

Loriann remembered how Lily had already defied odds before her birth.

“I had two losses before Lily,” she said. “I was told our chances of conceiving again were slim. But she came to us, and she has always been a fighter.”

That resilient spirit would now be tested in ways the family could scarcely imagine.

Lily, soon to turn three, would begin chemotherapy and endure treatments that no toddler should have to face.

Charlie described the courage his little girl displayed during her procedures.

“The amount of testing, procedures, and medication she’s been through this past week would be difficult even for an adult,” he said. “But she’s stayed positive through it all.”

Just yesterday, Lily had a Mediport inserted to administer her chemotherapy — a surgery lasting over an hour.

Despite grogginess, she ate, laughed, and even chose what she wanted to watch on TV.

Her bravery left her parents in awe.

As Loriann awaited the birth of her second child, expected February 3, the family’s emotions were a mixture of joy and worry.

“I’m definitely neglecting myself trying to make sure Lily’s okay,” Loriann admitted. “It’s overwhelming at times, but I take things day by day.”

Charlie found inspiration in Lily’s strength.

“I’m so proud of my little girl,” he said. “She’s amazing. Everything she’s gone through would be hard for an adult, yet she faces it with courage.”

The Ashbys knew that the road ahead would be long, filled with hospital stays, ongoing treatments, and uncertainty.

But they also believed that Lily’s resilient spirit would carry her through.

“The next couple of years are going to be very rough for all of us,” Charlie said. “But in the end, it will all be worth it — so we can grow together as a family, and Lily can become a big sister.”

To help with mounting medical bills, travel expenses, and time away from work, the Ashbys launched a GoFundMe campaign for Lily.

“Every dollar helps us focus on what matters most — helping Lily heal and keeping our family strong beside her,” Loriann said.

Generosity from friends, family, and strangers has provided comfort in a time of turmoil.

The Ashbys’ gratitude extended to the pediatric team at Northwell University Hospital North.

“The staff there have been absolutely tremendous,” Charlie said. “When Lily had to have her IV dressings changed in the pediatric ICU, the doctors and nurses sang Disney songs to keep her calm, and she even sang along.”

Another memorable moment came when they returned to her room after surgery and found a piece of art on the wall saying, “You are amazing, Lilith!”

Loriann described Lily as a social, curious child who still found joy amidst treatment.

“She loves visiting Pirate Park and Wolfe’s Pond Park,” she said. “She enjoys playing with other kids and exploring.”

Daily life now revolves around Lily’s care.

Charlie builds scenery for film and television, while Loriann works as a dog walker, adjusting their schedules to focus on their daughter’s health.

Yet, even with the weight of treatment and uncertainty, the family finds moments of light.

Loriann shared the depth of her bond with Lily.

“Lily is definitely a mommy’s girl,” she said. “She is the piece my heart had been waiting for. When she came, the storms quieted, the heartache dissolved, and love began to grow where loss once lived.”

Her love for her daughter overflows into every aspect of her life, creating a shield of support and unwavering care.

Charlie and Loriann hope that with treatment, community support, and Lily’s resilience, their daughter will one day be cancer-free.

They dream of a future where Lily can play freely, laugh without worry, and welcome her baby sibling into a family strengthened by love and perseverance.

Through tears and heartache, they hold onto hope — hope that the bravest little girl they know will continue to shine, even in the darkest of times.

Lily’s story is one of courage, love, and the extraordinary strength of a family united against life’s toughest battles.