Overview
- Taylor Swift donated $100,000 on Oct. 17 to 2-year-old Lilah Smoot’s GoFundMe, writing, “Sending the biggest hug to my friend, Lilah! Love, Taylor.”
- The campaign climbed to more than $318,000 by Oct. 20 after a flood of fan contributions, many in symbolic $13 increments with messages quoting “We protect the family.”
- Lilah’s mother, Katelynn Smoot, said the donation arrived without prior contact from Swift and was first noticed when the GoFundMe updated.
- The family initially set a $100,000 goal for treatment and travel expenses, and Smoot says the surge has lifted their financial burden and broadened awareness of ATRT.
- Lilah was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive brain tumor after a seizure at 18 months; surgeons removed the mass and her plan includes months of chemotherapy and stem-cell treatment.