Pitch Perfect: NY Yankee Carlos Rodón and Wife Ashley Talk Foundation and Helping Families

NEW YORK — On the mound, Carlos Rodón is known for a blistering fastball and a slider that keeps hitters guessing. But off the field, the New York Yankees left-hander and his wife, Ashley, are making an equally powerful impact — this time for families struggling with one of life's most heartbreaking challenges: infertility and pregnancy loss.

The couple sat down this week ahead of the Third Annual Willow Gala, set for Monday, August 24, 2026, from 6:00–10:00 PM at Skylight at The Refinery in New York City, to talk about why this cause hits so close to home — and why they aren't slowing down anytime soon.

A Journey Born from Heartbreak

The Carlos Rodón Foundation was born from personal heartbreak and the miracle of new life. Its mission is to support couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss by providing financial assistance and resources to afford IVF.

For Ashley, the pain behind that mission is deeply personal. After two miscarriages — one around 2018 and another that same Mother's Day while traveling — she found the strength to push forward, later saying, "I felt like a failure as a woman, as a wife." The arrival of their daughter Willow in July 2019 became their "rainbow baby," symbolizing hope after heartbreak.

That daughter's name became the foundation's cornerstone initiative. The Willow Grant was created to provide hope and financial assistance for families facing similar fertility challenges.

"Having experienced the heartbreak of pregnancy loss firsthand, we created the Willow Grant to give couples real support when they need it most," said Carlos and Ashley Rodón, Co-Founders of The Carlos Rodón Foundation.

From Personal Pain to Real Impact

What started as one couple's story has quietly become a lifeline for dozens of families across the country. Since its inception in 2024, the Foundation has committed $587,500 to supporting families — awarding 50 grants that have resulted in three Willow Grant babies born, 12 babies on the way, and 31 families currently in active treatment.

The momentum continued this summer. A "Game of Impact" at Yankee Stadium on July 5 helped the foundation raise more than $100,000. The event was part of a special partnership with the Yankees organization, one that carried major meaning for the Rodón family while also helping families dealing with fertility struggles and the high costs associated with treatments like IVF.

As the foundation put it simply: "This is more than a baseball game. It's a community showing up for the families who need it most."

Ashley: The Force Behind the Foundation

While Carlos brings his public platform as a three-time MLB All-Star to the effort, Ashley is the operational heart. She serves as Executive Director of the Carlos Rodón Foundation. In that role, she has raised awareness about infertility, particularly male factors, which contribute to about 50% of infertility cases — working to make the fertility process a less lonely one for many.

Ashley has also spoken openly about mental health. She has underscored the importance of supporting individuals with depression and anxiety, and through her work with the foundation she strives to make mental health a topic people feel empowered to address and discuss.

The Gala and What's Next

This year's Willow Gala will be hosted by CNBC's Contessa Brewer, bringing together athletes, supporters, community leaders, and grant recipients. The event will also mark a meaningful milestone: NASCAR's Samantha and Kyle Busch will be honored with the Seeds of Hope Award, recognizing their own advocacy for families navigating fertility challenges through the Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund.

For the Rodóns, the evening is less about glamour and more about getting the message out. As Ashley has put it, "The biggest thing is telling people who need the grants. If you want to financially help, that's always great. But the point of what we're doing is to find families to help."

Families interested in applying for a Willow Grant or supporting the foundation can visit RodonFoundation.org.