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From a heartbreaking diagnosis to a celebrity’s life-changing donation. Find out how Taylor Swift helped the Smoot family in their battle against pediatric cancer. Read the full story here:
2-year-old Lilah, who received a $100K donation from Taylor Swift, has completed her cancer treatment and proudly rang the bell surrounded by her family
Katelynn Smoot and her husband, Tyler, were preparing to welcome their son, William, when they received devastating news: their 18-month-old daughter, Lilah, had suffered a seizure, and a scan revealed a stage 4 brain tumor. The diagnosis was ATRT, a rare and aggressive cancer, requiring immediate treatment.
Lilah underwent brain surgery on March 3 to remove the tumor, followed by an intense treatment plan: chemotherapy, stem cell rescue, and proton radiation. The Smoots had to leave work to care for Lilah and adjust to life with a newborn.
Katelynn turned to social media, sharing their emotional journey on TikTok and Instagram. As her posts reached other parents, Katelynn realized her story was helping others cope and raising awareness for pediatric cancer.
Unexpectedly, Lilah discovered Taylor Swift’s album *Life of a Showgirl* and danced to the music video for “Fortnight.” Katelynn shared the moment on TikTok, jokingly tagging Taylor Swift. A few days later, they received a call from Tyler at the airport with life-changing news: **Taylor Swift had donated $100,000 to their GoFundMe.**
“I thought he was joking at first,” Katelynn recalls. But after seeing the donation, with a message that read, *“Sending you the biggest hug to my friend Lilah,”* they knew it was real. Katelynn was overwhelmed with gratitude, not just for the donation, but for Taylor’s gesture of care and kindness.
“Knowing she saw our video makes me so happy,” Katelynn says. “The donation helps so much, but the fact that she took the time to care, it means everything.”
From a heartbreaking diagnosis to a celebrity’s life-changing donation. Find out how Taylor Swift helped the Smoot family in their battle against pediatric cancer. Read the full story here: