Riley

Riley is a born leader with a knack for solving problems and a quick sense of

humor that lights up the room. She loves getting lost in a good book or exploring

vivid worlds through her favorite anime.

Now a high school sophomore, Riley stays busy with a packed schedule of

activities. She cheers on the JV squad, sings in the choir, plays flag football, and

gives back through Key Club. With her drive and determination, she’s well on

her way to achieving her dream of becoming a forensic pathologist.

Behind her every step is her mom, Danielle — a proud single mother of three.

Her two older children are already thriving: one is in college, the other serves

in the U.S. Navy. Danielle has worked hard to give her kids the tools they need

to succeed, juggling the demands of parenthood and running her own small

business.

So when Riley needed braces, Danielle did what she’s always done — she

saved up and made it happen. But they hit an unexpected bump in the road.

Riley’s orthodontist told them she would need tooth extractions and a bone

graft before treatment could move forward. While Danielle could manage the

monthly cost of braces, the surgery wasn’t in the budget.

She searched high and low for an affordable option, visiting multiple offices,

but the cost was still out of reach. That’s when she discovered Gill Children’s

Services — and everything changed.

Thanks to the generosity of Gill’s providers, Riley’s surgery would be

discounted by 63%. Danielle worked hard to cover nearly half of the expenses herself. “This assistance was truly a hand up, not a handout,” she shared. “If Gill hadn’t stepped in, I would’ve had to delay her treatment, even though the dentist advised against it.”

Now, Riley’s surgery is scheduled for this fall, and she couldn’t be more excited.

“She’s thrilled about the smile she’ll soon have,” Danielle said.

By the summer of 2027, just in time for high school graduation, Riley’s orthodontic journey will be complete — and she’ll be flashing that confident smile all the way to her future career in forensic pathology.