Community rallies in Mesa for tennis event to help fund Phoenix-area toddler’s kidney transplant

MESA, Ariz. — The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) held the “Rally For Rylee” tennis event in Mesa on Saturday to honor two-year-old Rylee Scroggins, a Phoenix-area toddler who needs a kidney transplant.

Rylee was diagnosed with VACTERL association, a rare, non-random collection of congenital birth defects affecting multiple systems. It affects one and 10,000-40,000 newborns.

Rylee’s dad, Bret Scroggins, said the VACTERL association has affected her kidneys, and she has been on dialysis ever since birth to help maintain normal levels.

“We have spent the first 150 days of her life in Phoenix Children’s Hospital,” Scroggins said. “Mom and I would switch off every night being in there with her.”

Scroggins said it has been a long journey, but Rylee is ready for a transplant.

COTA, in partnership with Sunrise Tennis Academy, gathered at Gene Autry Tennis Center in Mesa to help fund Rylee’s transplant-related expenses.

During the event, people participating in the “team rally-athon” had 30 minutes to hit as many consecutive rally shots as possible. 

“They pledge a dollar amount for every rally they do,” Scroggins said. “If you do 10 rallies at $20, it is $200.”

The cost of the event was $15 per person, and there was also a bake sale for those watching.

Scroggins said the community’s support means so much to their family.

“There are times when you don’t feel seen or heard, and we feel like we are going through this alone, so that is when you have events like this and it shows that there are so many that are thinking about Rylee and have her in their thoughts,” Scroggins said. “We appreciate it. If we don’t say it, just people thinking about her means the world to us.”

An organizer said they raised an estimated $2,500 from the event.

If you would like to donate to help Rylee, click here. COTA’s goal is $40,000.

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