Skip to main content

Anonymous donor works $25K Christmas miracle


LOVELAND, Ohio -- First there were tears, a hug from Destinee, and then Ashleigh Massey and her daughters Destinee and Sarinitee simply held each other and smiled.

On Dec. 22, just three days before Christmas, the women of the Massey family received the gift of relief in the form of a check for $25,000. The check came from an anonymous donor with a note simply stating: "No publicity please. This gift is just between you, Ashleigh, and us. Merry Christmas!" Unsigned.

Tears streamed down Ashleigh Massey's cheeks the instant she saw the check. Emotions choked back her ability to speak. Destinee cried out, "What's the matter, mommy," as she ran over and hugged her. Susie Bradford, Massey's mother, called out from across the room, "What's going on - what is it, Ashleigh?" Destinee handed the note and the check over to grandma. She asked Destinee to read it.

"Twenty-five THOUSAND DOLLARS," exclaimed the 9-year-old child aloud for all to hear and to understand what just happened. Then more hugs and lots of smiles.

Four years ago, Destinee had surgery to remove a rare brain tumor. Massey, whose husband left as the surgery was starting, had to give up her job to care for Destinee during her rounds of chemotherapy. Inspired by the care Destinee received at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, she became a licensed practical nurse in March 2013 and is working to complete studies in March to be a registered nurse.

Bradford, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair, helped Massey keep things together during Destinee's recovery. But money problems continued to weigh on the family.

After their story first appeared online at Cincinnati.com and in The Cincinnati Enquirer and Loveland Herald, the community opened its heart. Donations on the family's "GoFundMe" page quickly grew from $565 to $8,340. They closed the page at $9,090 when the large donation brought the sum to nearly $35,000 – more than double their original goal. Many donations were anonymous. Each one breathed a little more life into Massey and her family. It brought instant relief.

"You could see in her face, the stress just went away," Bradford said of her daughter's reaction – not to mention her own, and especially Destinee and Sarinitee.

The money immediately went to pay off past-due tuition bills and her final term of nursing school to meet RN requirements so she can support her family.

"I sent an email to the (nursing school) director and said I have the money to pay off my balance and then some," Massey said. "To have the money a week before to pay off my balance to zero, it's just. . ."

"It's a Christmas miracle," Destinee, now 10, said as she watched her mother spill tears, stand speechless, and then simply smile and breathe as they all hugged. A gift of relief from many and from one anonymous donor. A financial burden lifted. Stress removed.

Donations came in $10 to $1,000 amounts. Several gave $500 or $100, and every amount in between. Most were anonymous, some listed their name along with well-wishes and their donation amount, but most all were virtual strangers.

"This is amazing that people would do this," Bradford said. "I mean, they didn't even know us. It reminds us of how good people really are and how nice they can be."

Destinee had friends chase her down in the hallway at school to give her money to help. Her teacher and her teacher's mom donated. It brought tears in her emotional response.

"It made me feel happy," she said, "because a whole bunch of people that me and my granny, and my mom don't even know gave to help us."

This outpouring of goodness from the community and one very special anonymous donor has changed their lives again. Now, Destinee is feeling good. Her doctors call her a miracle. Massey is looking ahead to completing a bachelor's degree in nursing.

"The donations we received have surpassed what I needed to complete my RN program," Massey said. "Any donations remaining after paying my current balance at school will be used to pay for completion of the BSN program. It's one step closer to my ultimate goal of nurse practitioner."

Their lives have changed – for the better this time.

Massey began her final semester of classes at Hondros College of Nursing last week. She'll complete her RN requirements and have her pinning ceremony in March.

"I am overwhelmed and more than grateful for the outpouring of love and support," said Massey. "I want to thank everyone that has donated, helped us in some other way, and helped to share our story."