A special poker run is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, sponsored through the VFW Hall. Rick Isom will be heading up this fundraising excursion on behalf of 21-year-old, Taylor Rigler, who was recently diagnosed with a rare stage two cervical cancer. Due to a large medical deductible and significant hospital bills, several fundraising efforts have been organized on Rigler’s behalf.

A joint effort is currently ongoing as raffle tickets are being sold within the community for a 50/50 drawing and various other prizes. Tickets are $20 for 25 tickets, $5 for six tickets or a dollar a piece. Look for flyers out in the community or contact Shelly Tweedy at 775-945-3332 for more information. There is also an on-line method for donating under the website gofundme.com/bwncmsyk with a link at Taylors Campaign.

Rigler explained that after feeling unusually ill for over five months, she was finally diagnosed on Jan. 29 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno. Due to a rare cancer gene which is not easily found, two outside area doctors finally narrowed it down to this serious health issue. Since the cancer gene was regenerating, she quickly endured some radiation treatments which proved too taxing on her body. At Rigler’s request, she decided to avoid chemo or further radiation by opting for an operation that removed a portion of the affected area. Now she is recovering from that, praying for positive results while maintaining her normal commitments.

As the mother of a two-year old daughter, Rigler remains positive and aware of her responsibility to maintain stability on behalf of her family. “At first I was shocked, as were the medical staff because of my young age, but now I just am moving on and dealing with things each day. I work at the high school and am a full time college student, working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and hoping to become a guidance counselor in the school someday.”

Rigler credited the scientific community for much of the headway made in the area of cancer research. She stated that this type of cancer was a death sentence years ago, but now there are treatments and options which seem good.

“The financial cost of it all is the scariest part to me now,” Rigler shared. “I never dreamt I could’ve had cancer, so I was taken back at first but now I seem to be calming everyone else down about it. There are times I’m sick of my stomach from medication or I get tired, but I put a smile on my face and keep pushing toward a good ending with all of this.”