About Ashley's Angels

Ashley’ Angels is a non-profit organization founded by Kara and Howard Fraiman in memory and honor or their daughter, Ashley Faye. Ashley was born suffering from an incurable neurological disease. As a result, Ashley had many special needs. The requirements of a child with special needs are both numerous and unique to each child.

The mission and work of Ashley’s Angels is to serve both the needs of the child and their families by improving their quality of life. Funds raised by Ashley’s Angels will also be used towards strengthening Palliative Care for chronically ill and dying children. Palliative Care involves a team approach to medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the ill child and loved ones.

The focus of Palliative Care is the belief that each one of us has the right to live and die pain-free, in a dignified manner, and that the family receives enormous support to allow that to happen. Palliative care is not covered by medical insurance and its main source of revenue is through contributions. These contributions allow children in need to receive care that would otherwise not be available.

Special needs children have remarkable gifts to share. Given the opportunity, they are our greatest teachers and inspirations, as was Ashley. She continues to be a source of joy and incredible inspiration to our family and all that were blessed to be touched by her.

During the past few years since its inception Ashley’s Angels has raised money and awareness for the Palliative Care division at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Ashley’s Angels goal is to help create a Department of Palliative Care at C.H.O.P. Our belief is that eventually all hospitals will have a Department of Palliative Care and C.H.O.P. should be one of the leaders in this area.

Ashley’s Angels hosted a Delaware Valley regional dental lecture which featured two international dental lecturers and was attended and contributed to by over 200 local dentists raising over $50,000.00. In 2004 Ashley’s Angels hosted the Monster Mash created by Nicole and James Robinson and Kara and Howard Fraiman. Over 200 people attended and a $25,000.00 gift was made to the Palliative Care Division at C.H.O.P., specifically to aide the home nursing unit. This unit allows very ill children to be at home with their families and nursing care rather then spending all their time in the hospital. In 2005 Monster Mash was held at World Café Live and was attended by over 350 people. Monster Mash generated over $70,000.00 in cash contributions and much more in corporate/product contributions. A gift of $40,000.00 was made to Palliative Care at C.H.O.P. In addition Ashley’s Angels is recognized at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine on a Mural given to the Pediatric Clinic. Ashley’s Angels has been recognized and written about by Main Line Today, Main Line Life, Main Line News, Suburban/Wayne News and the University of Pennsylvania Gazette. In addition Ashley’s Angels and the Monster Mash have appeared on NBC10.