explaining drop in GPA to prospective colleges (UF FSU)

My daughter is a HS Jr this year. She had a significant drop in her GPA (weighted 3.7) this year due to a newly diagnosed illness (diabetes Insipidus) and missing a substantial amount of school. Previous years GPA 4.1 and 4.33. Current ACT is a 28 composite. Wondering if anyone has information about explaining drop in GPA and if colleges even read the letters of explanation? Would teacher letters help? Her top choice school is UF, and we understand how hard it is to get in there.

Yeah, they read those letters. I think It’s not a big drop for that schools.

She is able to explain the drop in the additional information section. Tell her to finish strong this year. UF does not look at senior year grades when evaluating applications.