There’s a tiny town in southeastern Idaho of around 1,000 people called Grace. It’s farm country. Mine country. A place of deep canyons, rolling green hills, and good-hearted people. Gillian has deep roots in this town. Her mother’s parents both grew up in the town. Many of their siblings stayed. Although Gillian has never lived there, she’s spent weekends and holidays in Grace, visiting her many relatives. Her uncle Matt, her mom’s oldest brother, made his home there, with his four children.

Gillian’s second cousin, Kayla Rigby, is preparing for her senior year at Grace High School. She has been touched by Gillian’s story, because she has significant medical challenges of her own, which caused her to miss most of her Sophomore year of high school. 

For her senior project, Kayla decided to organize a community fundraiser for COTA in honor of Gillian’s TPIAT. She ran a similar fundraiser a couple of years ago to help the family of a young boy in the area who was battling cancer.

We are in awe of Kayla’s generous heart and incredible drive and determination, and we’re forever grateful for her kindness and the way this community is rallying around our Gillian!