Kayla Gist

Most people who have met Kayla would say that she genuinely has one of the most selfless souls that you could come across. If you know her personally, you would know that she lights up a room with her caring demeanor, thoughtful conversation and beautiful laugh. She lives in Cloquet, Minnesota, is married to her husband Tony and they have two daughters, Hannah and Elise. When she is not working as a Senior Financial Analyst at Ascena Retail Group, she spends time caring for her family, working on projects on the family farm (this girl knows how to get her hands dirty!) and cultivating relationships with her many close friends.

In March of 2021, Kayla started experiencing symptoms that doctors diagnosed as Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland). Although treated for the thyroiditis, the pain did not go away and only intensified. In June 2021, while on family vacation in Northern Minnesota Kayla went to the emergency room due to the level of pain she was experiencing. Through this course of events it was eventually discovered that Kay had cancer – but doctor’s were initially unable to determine which type. Fast forward one long week later when Kayla and Tony received a call from doctors saying that they had a diagnosis from the Mayo Clinic -- the type of cancer Kayla has is called “epithelioid hemangioendothelioma”, or EHE. It is a rare cancer that grows from the cells that make up the blood vessels. The occurrence of EHE in the population is 1:1,000,000. Although we’ve always known that Kayla is one in a million, now doctors and scientists would say that as well! While this medical diagnosis has rocked Kayla and Tony’s worlds, her positive demeanor has not changed. Kayla is persistent in letting everyone know that she WILL beat cancer, as she has so much to live for!