2009 Fight Back Ceremony Speaker
Donna Ashmore

At 56, Donna is the mother of two sons, Jason and Justin, and one grandson, David, age 2.  She shares her life with her significant other/soul mate, Ruben Navarro, who Donna says, "is a survivor of being with me!"

Donna's many accomplishments include: 

  • Oncology Nurse at UCLA SCV Cancer Center

  • Worked in the Santa Clarita Valley for over 20 Years

  • Founding Member of our SCV ACS Office

  • Past SCV ACS President

  • 20-Year ACS Volunteer

  • Founding Member of SCV Relay For Life

  • Participated in Relay Opening Ceremonies, Closing Ceremonies, and Luminaria Ceremonies

  • Led a Highly-Successful CPS-3 Champaign as CPS-3 Chair in 2008

  • Team Captain of UCLA "Superstars" Every Year Since the Beginning of Relay

  • Facilitator for I CAN COPE Support Group for 18 Years

  • Bereavement Group for 5 Years

  • Health Committee for Santa Clarita Chamber for 2 Years

  • Speakers Bureau for ACS

  • Past Chair for ACS Prostate Health Committee

  • Facilitator for Prostate Health Day/Screenings for 6 Years

Donna's sister, Lynn, was diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago and has had two metastatic relapses, but she's doing great now.  Her mother is a 16-year lung cancer survivor and a 6-year colon cancer survivor.

After dedicating her life to helping others with cancer, on March 17th of this year Donna was diagnosed with colo/rectal cancer.  She completed colon resection surgery on April 7th and went back to work at UCLA/SCV Cancer Center on May 18th.  We are honored to have Donna as our Fight Back Speaker at the 2009 Relay For Life.  She exemplifies the essence of "Fight Back".