The Associated Press

BILLINGS — A small east-central Montana town held an early high school graduation ceremony for one student’s mother, who has pancreatic cancer.

The Billings Gazette reports Carol Grant was diagnosed in January and wanted to live long enough to see her daughter, Kelsey, graduate as Terry High School’s valedictorian.

Terry Grant says about two weeks ago doctors told his wife she likely wouldn’t live long enough to attend the scheduled May 20 ceremony.

Two residents — Michelle Wolff and Mary Elizabeth Grue — helped organize the early ceremony at Prairie Community Hospital on April 26. Local businesses donated flowers, a cake and a graduation banner and school officials were on board.

They surprised Kelsey’s mom. Terry Grant says his wife was extremely excited.

Kelsey Grant plans to attend Montana State University Billings and become a pediatrician.