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Strong: Life, loss and eternal love for my daughter

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'Heartbreaking and powerful - Ashley is an inspiration', Fearne Cotton

'Ashley's psychological and emotional resilience is unparalleled, truly in the 0.1 percent', Ant Middleton

STRENGTH, RESILIENCE, POWER

Strong is the moving and heartbreaking memoir from celebrity campaigner, endurance athlete, and father of an angel, Ashley Cain. Charting his daughter's birth and the fight for her life when she was diagnosed with leukaemia at 7 weeks old, Ashley reflects on his life and his own struggles since Azaylia's passing in 2021.

Ashley embodies strength and resilience - recently setting up The Azaylia Foundation and taking part in extreme physical challenges to raise crucial funds and awareness for children fighting cancer - so though Strong is a moving tribute to his daughter, it will also encompass the practical and positive mindset that Ashley now embodies, tying his emotional and physical grief into his extreme challenges, in order to provide inspiration and comfort to others struggling with loss and other mental health challenges.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Azaylia Foundation.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2023

15 people are currently reading
89 people want to read

About the author

Ashley Cain

27 books3 followers

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5 stars
128 (71%)
4 stars
33 (18%)
3 stars
15 (8%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Laura Marshall.
19 reviews
July 6, 2023
Flew through this in a couple of hours. Utterly heartbreaking and powerful.
Profile Image for Kellie.
84 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2024
An absolutely inspirational read written from his heart with true courage and admiration. I could not put this book down its so heartbreaking and sad but its also such an inspiring story.

This book is so well written and what he's doing now to raise awareness of childhood cancer is absolutely amazing and he's such an inspirational man
Profile Image for Elise.
13 reviews6 followers
November 24, 2023
OMG what an absolute beautiful book. A couple loose their child aged 8 months to rare cancer & his determination to raise awareness for cancer research
Profile Image for Sophiebeth.
254 reviews
February 2, 2024
"Strong" by Ashley Cain is an emotional and heartfelt tribute that deserves nothing less than 5 stars. This documentary not only captures the remarkable journey of a family from our hometown, Nuneaton, but also stands as an extraordinary testament to the strength that can arise from unimaginable challenge of losing a child.

Ashley Cain's determination, resilience, and unwavering love for his daughter, Azaylia, who battled a rare form of leukemia, are awe-inspiring. The documentary beautifully portrays the highs and lows of their journey, providing an intimate look into the profound bond between parent and child. Azaylia's radiant spirit, captured through the lens, becomes a beacon of hope and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on readers.

Personally, Ashley's journey has resonated deeply with me, helping me cope with the loss of my own angel babies. His strength in the face of adversity has served as a source of inspiration, reminding me that even in the darkest moments, there is a reservoir of strength within. The documentary not only pays homage to Azaylia's legacy but also becomes a therapeutic tool for those navigating their grief and seeking solace.

"Strong" goes beyond being a documentary; it is a poignant celebration of love, family, and the enduring human spirit. Ashley Cain's dedication to sharing this profound journey is not only a tribute to his beautiful angel but a gift to those who find solace and inspiration in the face of life's most challenging moments.
Profile Image for Chelsea May xxx.
644 reviews4 followers
September 1, 2023
I have followed Ashley’s journey with his daughter since the beginning and I think he is such a inspirational man and what he is doing for his daughter is amazing. I learnt quite a lot about Ashley that I didn’t really know about him at the beginning of the book and how he got to we’re he is now. I really enjoyed learning about his family and his life experiences that he has done in his life. The bit were we got to his beautiful daughter in this book brake my heart and I was in floods of tears. I really liked that he explained the meaning by his daughters name and it really suited her such much. I learnt a lot more about childhood cancer that i didn’t know before reading this book and I learnt a lot more about his daughters courageous battle for life and her fight with the nasty disease that’s sadly took her way too early. This book is so well written and the way Ashley writes it is down so beautifully and done with so much love and dedication. His and Saf daughter will continue to live on his peoples hearts. Let’s go champ 🧡🦁xxx
687 reviews11 followers
August 30, 2023
Absolutely inspirational read. What a touching story. Like most, I really only knew who Ashley was when his daughter got ill, which is such a sad thing but that's when I started following him on instagram as I realised what he was trying to do to save his daughter and found it remarkable. So I knew all about what they went through as a family, I really admire Ashley. I think the things he does to raise money and carry on in his daughter's memory is nothing short of amazing.

The man never ever gives up. He's incredible. This book was such a heartbreaking but great read. A little clip of his life growing up and relationships but the main part of the book was when Azaylia came along and the battles they had to face.

Azaylia Diamond Cain is a name famous across the world and I believe it always will be thanks to Ashley and his family and friends. From such a cruel thing to happen to Ashley raising money in her memory and completing challenges constantly is just amazing. Brilliant Ashley, keep going.

Let's go champ 🦁🧡
Profile Image for Holly Hall.
91 reviews
July 11, 2023
Dear Ashley

Well what a read! Took me a bit longer to read your book from Azaylias mum that’s because I’ve been working lots.
This was a true heart felt book, and now I have read both versions, you as both parents are so strong.

I have mental health issues because of my past and how I’ve been treated and traumas I’ve experienced, part of my head feels like life can be so much worse, for example losing a child like you have but ptsd doesn’t work like that and I wish I had the mental stamina to do all those active activities that you have done. You are one strong cookie.

This book deserves so much recognition and everyone should read.

Much love
Holly xxx
Profile Image for Dianne Collier.
45 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2023
I must admit I didn't really know a lot about Ashley Cain, just that his little girl had passed away from cancer.Then I saw him on The Full Monty and he came across as such a nice guy,who obviously still struggles at times with losing Azaylia.
This story of how much he adores her , even after her sad passing and the fact he raises so much now for childhood cancer charities,makes this an emotional but very worthwhile read.
❤️❤️
Profile Image for Caroline.
143 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2023
A truely inspirational read written from the heart with true courage and admiration.

A massive respect to Ashley for writing this book and sharing his journey to raising awareness for childhood cancer.
Profile Image for Shannon Bavister.
249 reviews13 followers
July 23, 2023
I do not believe any words could describe how beautiful this book is. My heart goes out to Ashley, Saf & most importantly their ‘Lickle Lion Azaylia 🦁🧡’. I absolutely sobbed my heart out multiple times. A beautiful little angel taken too soon x
1 review
July 25, 2023
Inspiring and heartbreaking

Could not put this book down, unbelievably sad yet such an inspiring story. You can literally feel the love projecting through every word. Raw, honest and inspirational
282 reviews
July 17, 2024
Powerful inspirational and emotional story about Ashley cain. We get to know Ashley and a bit about his life before going into the horrendous misfortune cancer of his daughter. A strong man and the title underlines that. What an emotional read but also an inspiring read.
Profile Image for Beau Snow.
86 reviews
June 27, 2023
Extremely powerful and honest insight into loss.
Had me in floods of tears.
Profile Image for Melissa.
339 reviews9 followers
August 3, 2023
Heartbreaking. This book was just inspiring too. Ashley Cain is a inspiration person. His heart is in that book and I cried through the last half of the book… and I’m not one to cry at many books.
2 reviews
September 11, 2023
Wow such an inspiring read

I loved reading this book it really makes you think about yourself as a person. I couldn't stop reading it. Amazing
Profile Image for Amy Fraser-Appah.
9 reviews
November 25, 2023
Absolutely amazing book! The love this man has for his daughter is like no other. His ex partner also wrote a book and I highly recommend it as well!
Profile Image for Becky Read.
24 reviews
December 3, 2023
This book absolutely broke my heart in two.

An example of what a father should always be to their child! His attitude to life is inspiring considering the trauma he has suffered.
2 reviews
February 20, 2024
What a guy

What an amazing read, I take my hat off to Ashley, he has been thru so much and still manages to help others
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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