In a remarkable display of resilience, Ashley McCrary, a mother from Alabama, has devoted her life to supporting fellow patients battling ocular melanoma. Diagnosed with this rare and often lethal form of eye cancer in 2012, McCrary has transformed her personal struggles into a beacon of hope for others. She founded the nonprofit organisation Eye on Grace to alleviate the financial burden of travel for essential treatments, ensuring that no one has to choose between their health and their finances.
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The journey began for McCrary when two friends noticed dark spots in the iris of her eye. Shortly after her diagnosis, she underwent surgery to remove the affected eye, subsequently replaced with a prosthetic. Faced with a daunting prognosis of just 18 months to live, she was determined to defy expectations. By joining a clinical trial at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, she not only survived but became the last living member of her initial cohort of 19 patients.
Amid her ongoing health challenges, McCrary has remained resolute in her mission to help others. In 2023, while participating in another clinical trial for recently discovered tumours in her lung and breast, she began drawing as a therapeutic outlet. “I’ve always dabbled in art,” McCrary shared in a recent interview, reflecting on how painting has provided her with a temporary escape from the harsh realities of her condition.
Motivated by her own experiences, she established Eye on Grace, which has since raised substantial funds through donations and the sale of artwork-inspired cards bearing messages of encouragement. Over the past three years, the foundation has financed 2,000 trips for more than 200 ocular melanoma patients, helping them access crucial treatment options that they might otherwise have been unable to afford.
Reflecting on her diagnosis, McCrary said, “Instead of asking, ‘Why me?’ I thought, ‘What can I do to help others through this?’” Her focus on community and support has been a significant driving force in her life and work. The initiative has alleviated the financial strain on patients who often travel long distances for specialised care, as insurance typically does not cover non-local treatment-related expenses.
The emotional toll of surviving while others didn’t weighs heavily on McCrary. “I sometimes have survivor’s guilt,” she confessed, recalling her friends who also faced ocular melanoma but did not survive. “I think about them often.” This motivation steers her commitment to ensuring that other patients have the opportunity to seek life-saving treatments.
Eye on Grace not only rallies financial support but also cultivates a community of encouragement. McCrary receives numerous messages from those she has helped, which she cites as a source of motivation. One recipient, Ross Wither, expressed profound gratitude after receiving $10,000 that enabled him to travel from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Minnesota for treatment. “She saved my life,” he stated, highlighting the profound impact of McCrary’s philanthropy.
As she balances her role as a caregiver for her ailing parents, Fred and Carol Ann, alongside managing her health challenges, McCrary remains steadfast in her mission. With ambitions to raise $750,000 this year for her foundation, she sees her cancer as a catalyst for purpose. “My cancer led me to having a purpose,” McCrary reflected. “Seeing the tangible effects of what we’re doing in people’s lives makes it all worth it.”
The annual Eye Patch Challenge, one of the foundation’s key fundraising efforts, garnered over £200,000 last year, illustrating the growing support for McCrary’s cause. Her determination to ensure that no patient feels alone in their battle resonates deeply within the community of ocular melanoma patients, making her work increasingly vital.
In the face of immense personal adversity, Ashley McCrary exemplifies the strength of the human spirit. Her journey from patient to advocate not only illustrates her resilience but also highlights the importance of community in overcoming life’s challenges. Through Eye on Grace, she continues to change lives, providing hope, support, and vital resources for those navigating the treacherous waters of cancer treatment.