Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation
Impacting One Heart At A Time
The ABJ Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging and empowering youth who face heart conditions. We strive to enable them to live fulfilling lives filled with hope, resilience, and opportunity.
THE JOURNEY
Ashlynn B. Jackson was born prematurely, at 7 ½ months, weighing just 4 pounds, 9 ounces. She faced immediate challenges due to a rapid heart rate and underdeveloped lungs, spending her first two weeks in the hospital. Despite these early struggles at birth, Ashlynn initially led a healthy, active childhood. What was initially believed to be tachycardia when she was born, and after being under the care of a cardiologist until the age of two, it was determined that her heart rate appeared to be normalizing. She did not exhibit any signs that were alarming, so the doctor gave the “all clear.”
When Ashlynn was seven, her heart condition became apparent. What was initially deemed a minor condition at birth and eventually cleared by a cardiologist turned into a long series of hospitalizations, surgeries, and procedures. She was finally diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which we now believe to be the initial condition when she was born or developed due to not being treated over the years. After undergoing multiple surgeries to fix her heart, which were unsuccessful, Ashlynn was eventually placed on the transplant list. Miraculously, after just 28 days, Ashlynn received a new heart on July 20, 2002, at the age of eight. This transplant extended her life by 8 ½ years, during which she underwent additional treatment and surgical procedures to manage her complex condition. During this journey, Ashlynn discovered a passion for writing.
While in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, Ashlynn began writing to cope with her heart journey. Initially interested in drawing and music, she found her true calling in poetry. Over the years, she wrote over 300 poems and two plays for children and teens. Her writing became a therapeutic outlet, reflecting her thoughts, hopes, and dreams. She envisioned publishing a poetry book to inspire others facing similar battles and to raise funds for a foundation that could support children and teens affected by heart disease.
In her final years, Ashlynn began to experience multiple heart attacks and heart rejections. Ashlynn’s mother was informed in 2009 that she had end-stage heart failure and did not qualify for another heart transplant. Her health and quality of life began to decline. At the age of 17 in 2010, Ashlynn suffered a major heart attack which damaged 90% of her transplanted heart. The doctors informed Ashlynn that her time was limited, and she was placed in palliative care. Despite this news, she remained resilient and focused on her dreams. She wrote a bucket list of all the things she wanted to accomplish while alive and gave her mother the task to complete it if she did not live long enough to do so.
Unfortunately, Ashlynn passed away on January 20, 2011. Over the next year, Ashlynn’s mother, Shimeka, honored her legacy by publishing Ashlynn’s poetry book, “Why Me? Why Not Me!” The book captures the spirit and depth of a young girl facing unimaginable challenges with grace and strength.
Following Ashlynn’s passing, Shimeka continued her daughter’s legacy in partnership with Mt. Sinai Church of Los Angeles, establishing the Ashlynn B. Jackson Scholarship Fund. This fund has since provided over $190,000 in scholarships, allowing young people to pursue their education and career trades, a dream Ashlynn once hoped to fulfill for herself. Inspired by Ashlynn’s wish to support others, Shimeka founded The Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to families affected by congenital heart disease, promoting organ donation awareness, and funding critical research as well as academic and career-focused funding.
Ashlynn had also decided to be an organ donor, a choice unknown to her mother until after her passing. This decision brought Shimeka full circle, as she had once been on the joyous end of the call, informing her that Ashlynn would receive a new heart. Now, she found herself granting permission for Ashlynn’s organs and tissues to help others. This profound act of generosity continues to inspire the foundation’s mission.
Ashlynn’s legacy lives on through the foundation, which provides crucial resources for families, raises awareness about organ donation and tirelessly supports children with heart conditions. Her life and dreams remind us of the strength found in resilience, love, and the power of giving.
OUR MISSION
The Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people living with heart disease by providing vital resources, support, and education, while advocating for advancements in treatment and care. We are committed to guiding young individuals and their families through the challenges they face, fostering resilience, promoting heart health through community outreach, research, and advocacy, ensuring a future where every young heart warrior can have the opportunity to lead a full and active life.
OUR PURPOSE
OUR PROMISE
OUR
PRINCIPLES
OUR PASSION
The purpose of the Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation is to raise awareness about pediatric cardiomyopathy, a chronic condition affecting over 30,000 children in the U.S., which impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. This life-altering condition impacts children of all ages, genders, and ethnicities, with severity ranging from mild to life-threatening, and may be inherited or acquired.
To address these challenges, our mission is to provide academic scholarships, financial support, and resource connections to empower affected families and their children in pursuing higher education despite the condition’s challenges. We are dedicated to fostering understanding through education, supporting advancements in research, and advocating for comprehensive care. By equipping families, medical professionals, and communities with the tools to navigate this complex condition, we aim to inspire hope and create meaningful opportunities for brighter futures.
The Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation promises to honor Ashlynn’s legacy by standing with young people and families affected by congenital heart disease. We are dedicated to providing vital resources, financial support, and educational opportunities, ensuring that no family faces these challenges alone. Inspired by Ashlynn’s courage and compassion, we pledge to raise awareness for organ donation, fund critical research, and support young hearts in their fight for a better future.
We promise to be a source of hope, resilience, and unwavering support—carrying forward Ashlynn’s vision to heal, uplift, and inspire. We Promise to operate with honesty, integrity, and inclusivity. We believe that all hearts are equal regardless of race, religion, or background. Our goal is to impact one heart at a time.
At the Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation, our principles are rooted in
compassion, resilience, community, and inclusivity. We are dedicated to
honoring Ashlynn’s legacy by providing unwavering support to young people and
families affected by congenital heart disease, regardless of their background,
race, or socioeconomic status. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and
inclusion (DEI) means that we work to ensure every family feels valued,
respected, and supported in their unique journey.
We believe in the life-saving importance of organ donation and actively
promote awareness across diverse communities. Through scholarships,
partnerships, and essential resources, we empower young people to pursue their
dreams and build brighter futures. Our principles guide us to create a
compassionate, inclusive environment that brings hope, strength, and
opportunity to all, inspired by Ashlynn’s courageous spirit.
At the heart of the Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation is a profound passion for empowering young people and families affected by congenital heart disease. We are driven by Ashlynn’s legacy—her resilience, creativity, and unwavering desire to make a difference. Our passion stems from the belief that every child deserves support, hope, and the opportunity to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles they face.
We are inspired by the families we serve, their courage in navigating life’s challenges, and their strength in times of uncertainty. Our mission to provide resources, raise awareness about organ donation, and offer educational opportunities is fueled by our dedication to making Ashlynn’s vision a reality. This work is not just our mission; it is our calling—to bring hope, healing, and empowerment to young hearts and to honor Ashlynn’s spirit in everything we do.