One of the great aspects of the fastpitch softball community is how it rallies around those in need.

This is one of those times.

Taylor Dockins, a 2017 pitcher/utility player from Norco, California and a member of the So Cal Choppers-Fausett club team was in Colorado a few weeks ago playing in the Boulder IDT when she fell ill.

On Friday July 1st, Taylor's mother Debi and Coach Dean Fausett, head coach for the Choppers 18U team, rushed Taylor to the emergency room as she was writhing in severe pain.  That night Taylor was diagnosed with a possible cancerous tumor in her liver and a spot on her lung. 
 
Quickly she was rushed into surgery and the tumor was successfully removed and sent out for biopsy.

Today it was discovered it is Fibrolamellar liver cancer and is a rare form that only occasionally impacts young people. She was released from Kaiser Children's Hospital in Los Angeles and, if all goes well, she could be able to work out again Sept. 5. According to family, she's resting and in good spirits, although Taylor will have to be tested every three months for the rest of her life.

With the sudden and dramatic medical situation comes steep costs and Dean Fausett and his Choppers' organization has asked FloSoftball to publicize Taylor's plight and ask the softball world to "keep her in your thoughts and prayers and help out if possible financially."

For those who'd like to help, donations can be made through a GoFundMe account.

So far, about 25% of the hoped for $20,000 has been raised in three days to cover not just medical costs but also lost wages for the family.

A promising softball talent who has committed to Cal State Fullerton, Taylor has a career pitching record of 75-18 at Norco High with an ERA of 1.44.  She also is batting .354 in her prep career.

"Taylor is on pace to become the Norco High all-time wins leader," says her Norco High head coach Rick Robinson, who also is a coach with the Choppers.  "She currently has 75 wins behind only Teagan Gerhart who has 85.

And she has a chance to become one of the all-time greats in Southern California softball history.

"If she continues her current yearly pace," Coach Robinson adds, "she could become the CIF all-time leader in wins passing Kamerin May of Corona Santiago with 98 and could possibly become only the third pitcher to reach the 100-win mark in the CIF Southern Section."

Her high school honors include being a three-time All-Area pick and a two-time CalHiSports.com All-State Underclass 1st team selection.

At the club level, Taylor is quite accomplished as well, winning a PGF National Championship with Team Mizuno-Campbell 14U in 2013 and an ASA National Championship with the 10U Firecrackers-Quarles team in 2010.