Rochester Girl Battling Lung Disease Needs All the Love on Her Birthday

A Rochester family is asking for the community’s support as a young girl is forced to begin her 4^th birthday at the hospital.

Rylie Dion suffers from a terrible lung disease and her family had hoped to cheer her up with a community-wide birthday parade on July 16.

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Meet the Birthday Girl Named Rylie

Rylie suffers from Nontuberculosis Microbacterium in her lymph nodes, also known as NTM Lung Disease. It is a serious infection caused by bacteria that are common in the environment and can cause lung damage.

“She had surgery and treatment for a year and we recently found out it had returned,” said her mother, Kristi Weigel.

On Tuesday, instead of getting ready for her birthday, Rylie will be back at the hospital for a procedure to begin a treatment plan.

“She is a fighter and one of the strongest little girls,” Weigel said. “This disease is very rare. We’ve had so much help from Boston Children’s which has been amazing.”

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How to Celebrate & Help Rylie

On Tuesday, July 16, the community is encouraged to meet at Rochester Memorial School at 6:45 p.m. to line up and parade by Riley’s home to shower her with love and positivity.

The parade will drive by her home as the birthday girl stands outside.

“We can’t wait to see that bright smile on Rylie Grace,” said Kristi.

Then, on Friday, July 19, the Rochester Fire Department will host a blood drive in honor of Rylie from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4 Pine Street in Rochester. For more details, email Kristi at kristiweigel@dartmouthschools.org.

Let’s show up for Rylie on her big day. Let’s Rally for Rylie.