Ayla Gilman of Manahawkin has not had the sweetest 16. Just after Easter, she became severely ill. When her lymph nodes swelled significantly, her mother, Adrienne Allikmaa-Gilman, rushed her to the hospital, where she received a devastating diagnosis: Stage 3 Hodgkins lymphoma. She would need to begin chemotherapy immediately to optimize her chances of overcoming this disease.

Prior to the discouraging diagnosis, Ayla was a typical teenage girl. Like her older brother Aaron and younger brother Aedan, she was a driven and active soccer athlete. She also enjoyed photography and interior design.