BY CHERYL PATRICK LEADER STAFF WRITER
NORTH JUDSON — Ashley Ann Derrickson lost her battle with Leukemia on Friday Dec. 12 at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
Many have been inspired by Ashley’s story — her selfless love and caring for others will be part of the unforgettable legacy this young woman leaves behind. Ashley was a member of the North Judson Lady Bluejay basketball team. Being diagnosed with cancer as a freshman, Ashley’s fellow teammates supported her and fought for and won the chance to vie for a state championship title.

Ashley battled her disease for two years, when she accomplished an amazing goal by once again setting foot on the basketball court and playing varsity basketball for the Lady Bluejays. Ashley also stepped up to help a fellow North Judson-San Pierre student who was diagnosed with cancer, Amanda Kovacs.
Ashley said, in a previous Leader story, she knew she had to help Amanda when she heard about her diagnosis.
“...I thought to myself I need to do something for her. When I first heard, I was home for three weeks with problems with my knee-leg, so I had time to talk everything over with my mother. I just knew that was something I needed to do. I know God has a plan for me and I knew that he was leading me to do something for her and that’s what I did,” Ashley said.
For Ashley, helping Amanda was something she did for God.
“I had Osteosarcoma, which is Bone Cancer, so I know some of what she and her family are going through. I knew God wanted me to go and help her and let her know that I am here for her. I just knew they needed some help and support from another family,” she said.
Ashley graduated from North Judson-San Pierre High School in 2008. And she was a student at Ivy Tech Valparaiso.
While attending high school, Ashley was a member of the girls basketball team, senior cabinet and student council, the Key Club  and was a former WKVI Athlete of the Week.
She is survived by her parents; grandparents: Gaston and Margaret Combs of Knox and Norman and Marilyn Derrickson of Knox; brothers: Mike Jr. (Ami) Derrickson of Knox and Charlie (Lauren) Derrickson of Knox; a sister, Heather (Jason) Derrickson of North Judson and nephews Brenden Danford and Christian Hittle, both of North Judson.