LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Not a day goes by that Lana Gruell doesn’t miss her daughter, Cashleigh.
She constantly admires the young creative’s art around the house.
“She was artistic and was a self-taught artist,” Gruell said. “She was very empathetic. One of those people, when she met someone who needed help, she was drawn to them.”
Gruell shared plenty of stories about Cashleigh. In the second grade, she helped a classmate with Tourette’s Syndrome get their homework done. She described being incredibly close to her youngest daughter, which made losing her that much more painful.
“It was a huge blow to me and to our family,” Gruell said. “Everybody kind of revolved around her from the day she was born. When that’s missing, it just changes the entire dynamic of everything.”
Cashleigh died by suicide about three years ago. She was only 20 years old. Gruell is still grieving to this day, but it’s combined with a desire to help others.
In 2023, The Cashleigh Foundation was created to provide support and resources to those struggling with their mental health, especially the youth.
“Since losing her, I found so many resources that I feel like would have helped her. I just want to make sure that anybody I can help connect with those resources, that I make sure I do that,” Gruell said.
What started in Las Vegas has grown into Gruell connecting with people around the country.
Those reaching out thanking Gruell for what she’s doing, sharing her daughter’s story so others can get the help they need.
“If I talk about what happened to Cashley and what she struggled with, then maybe somebody else that struggled with the same thing or has a child that struggled with the same issue might feel like they aren’t alone and that they have to hide,” Gruell said.
“If Cashley was here and I was the one that passed away, the last thing she would tell anyone is not to feel or express yourself.”
If you want to learn more about The Cashleigh Foundation, click here.
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