Here's Why Gigi Was Selected As A HG-Lockport Local Hero

HOMER GLEN, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Edna Picciolini who nominated Giovanna (Gigi) of Homer Glen-Lockport. Gigi is Edna's daughter.

Local hero’s full name

Giovanna (Gigi)

Local hero’s home state

Illinois

Local hero’s Patch

Homer Glen-Lockport

How do you know the local hero?

She is my daughter

What does the local hero do?

She is a student at Providence HS

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

Gigi is a 5-year brain cancer survivor who is paying it forward. Gigi was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, the most-common malignant brain cancer in kids, when she was 10 years old. She has made it her life’s purpose to help other kids who have been affected by brain cancers. She has organized fundraisers to donate fidget toys to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital, where she received her life-saving treatment. She knows how a little pick me up goes a long way during hospital stays. She also donated the materials to make “slime,” which helped her pass the time while in the hospital. She also made bracelets, and donated the proceeds to the Pediatric Brain Cancer Foundation. Her most-recent outreach is to help a boy she met while on vacation in Mexico who has brain cancer. It was a chance meeting, and now Gigi is making T-shirts and donating proceeds from a craft show she is involved in to help his family cover basic needs and medical costs. With the help of her parents, she started a GoFundMe for his medical care.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

She is the kindest and most empathetic teenager you will meet!

Thank you for all you do, Gigi!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know someone making a difference in town?

Nominate them here.