For 6-year-old Taylor Rayburn the opportunity to get to see her favorite artist, Taylor Swift, in concert — the child's very first concert — was a dream come true. But for the young girl battling cancer, the surprise didn't end there.
According to a Facebook post from Taylor's mom, Allison, she surprised her young daughter with tickets to a Taylor Swift concert in Atlanta as a belated birthday gift. Taylor was diagnosed in April with a Stage 3 Wilms' tumor, a rare kidney cancer found primarily in children, and wasn't able to celebrate on her actual birthday. However, once the Rayburns got to the concert, they met Swift's mother, Andrea, who eventually took the family backstage to meet the pop star.
"This is a night she will always remember!!" Allison wrote on her Facebook post. "[Taylor] left saying, 'I can't tell if this is a dream or for real!' So amazing!"
We surprised Taylor this weekend and took her to see her favorite artist and very first concert ever! She wasn't able to...
Posted by Allison Brinson Rayburn on Sunday, October 25, 2015
Allison also posted a photo of her daughter with Andrea Swift, who was also battling cancer, as the two danced during the concert.
Taylor Swifts mom and Taylor jamming out in the audience!!:) Precious!!!
Posted byAllison Brinson Rayburn on Sunday, October 25, 2015
On her own Twitter account, Swift posted four photos from the concert, including one of her with the younger Taylor, and said, "tonight was magical."
Tonight was magical. @ToveLo was incredible. I you Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/pu4h7EPHmK
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) October 25, 2015
Just as Swift is known for giving back to her fans and those in need, the Rayburns, too, are known for giving back to their own community ever since Taylor's diagnosis. According to the Tuscaloosa News, the family started a fundraiser called Project Team Taylor that raises awareness and money for the Alabama Children's Hospital for pediatric cancer research and treatment and Camp Smile-A-Mile, a program for children with cancer in Alabama.
"This is our thank-you to all the doctors, the nurses, all the staff and just everybody who took care of our daughter. We just want to give back to what brought comfort to our daughter," Cliff Rayburn, Taylor's father told the Tuscaloosa News in June. "Every year on June 11 (Taylor’s birthday), we’re going to raise money for Project Team Taylor."
Since Taylor spent her birthday in the hospital we surprised her this weekend with a trip to Atlanta and Taylor Swift...
Posted by Project Team Taylor on Sunday, October 25, 2015
(H/T: Today)