D1 Wichita Community Rallies Around Three Athlete Moms Battling Breast Cancer | D1 Daily

Athletes at D1 Training Wichita have been wearing pink shirts in support of three fellow members — Karen Hurley, Ashley Ralston and Katie Stone — as each faces or continues recovery from cancer.

The show of support has become a visible reminder of the close-knit community inside D1 Wichita, where members and coaches have rallied around the women and their families.

Karen Hurley, 54, joined D1 Wichita in February 2026. She was diagnosed with cancer at age 46 and has been NED (No Evidence of Disease) since May 2018.

Hurley said training has helped improve her confidence and mobility years after her final surgery.

Ashley Ralston, left and Karen Hurley. (Photo for D1 Training)

“Although it’s been seven years since my last surgery, my range of motion has greatly improved since joining D1,” Hurley said. “I love the community feel D1 has and the encouragement not only from the coaches but the members too.”

Ashley Ralston, 35, became a D1 member in Tennessee in 2024 before later moving to Wichita. She was diagnosed on Feb. 13, 2026, with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, ER/PR+, HER2-, along with a BRCA2 mutation, and is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Ralston said continuing to train has helped her maintain both physical and mental strength while balancing treatment and raising three children.

Ashley Ralston with family. (Photo for D1 Training)

“Showing up to train reminds me that my body is still capable and strong, even on the hard days,” Ralston said.

She also said the support from coaches and fellow members has helped her through the process.

“One of the biggest things D1 has given me is community,” she said. “From Tennessee to Wichita, I’ve been surrounded by coaches and members who encourage me, check in on me, and help lift me up when things feel heavy.”

Katie Stone, 36, joined D1 Wichita in November 2025 after being diagnosed earlier that year with triple negative breast cancer despite having no family history of the disease.

Stone said the support from D1 Wichita has extended beyond her personally and has also helped her children cope with her diagnosis.

“D1 provided an extreme outlet for them in a very supportive way to keep them focused on their own health and their bodies as well as conditioning them for sports,” Stone said.

She added, “I have nothing but amazing things to say about the love that D1 has surrounded our family with in this extremely difficult time.”

At D1 Wichita, the pink shirts represent more than awareness. They represent strength, resilience, encouragement and the belief that community matters.

For Hurley, Ralston, and Stone, the support of D1 coaches and fellow members has helped turn a training facility into something much greater: a family.

D1 Training is built for the Everyday Athlete—no matter your age or fitness level. Whether you’re looking for personalized coaching through personal training, the energy and accountability of a group fitness class, or a variety of high-impact fitness classes, our expert coaches are here to help you reach your goals. D1 also specializes in youth strength and conditioning, developing young athletes with age-appropriate programming that builds confidence, strength, and long-term success. Wherever you are in your fitness journey, D1 is the place to train.