Local riding community rallies to support teenager with rare bone cancer

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A local community has rallied behind the family of a 14-year-old who has been diagnosed with cancer in order to support her treatment. 

The Tyrrell Riding Academy hosted a benefit run for Dayla Seely, who has Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. 

“We were already hosting our monthly cattle sorting event, so for one of the events, we just did by donation, they got to participate in a special run, and all the donation money went back to the family,” said Christine Huxted, a parent volunteer with the academy. “We raised over $2,000 for (Dayla’s) family. We did ask them ahead of time just to make sure it was something they were comfortable with, and then we were able to tell them how much we supported. They were very, very appreciative.”

Due to the rarity of her condition, the specific proton radiation treatment necessary is only available at a specialized facility in Florida. Seely and her mother, Sierra Murray must temporarily relocate in order to go through with the treatment. 

Huxted explained member riders who participated in the event donated whatever they felt comfortable being able to contribute, ranging from five dollars to upwards of $200 a person.

“We really try to give back; we are always looking to build that barn family, so anytime we have one of our members, one part of our family that needs something, we are always looking to do some sort of event,” she said. “This past summer, one of our lesson students had a house fire, so we did an event to raise money for her, and now (with) Dayla, giving money to them. Anytime there is something we can do, we always do veterans food drives and things like that.”

A GoFundMe campaign for the family launched Feb. 10, in order to aid in the costs of relocation and for medical expenses. The original goal set for the campaign was set for $11,000. As of Feb. 21, the campaign had breached $18,400.

Murray explained Seely began experiencing pain in her back in July, prompting a visit to the Strathmore Hospital. Lacking evidence of compression fractures, the pain at the time was suggested to be a result of normal riding and lifting activities. 

Come September, Seely described a lack of energy and continued pain in her back. A chiropractor noted the crookedness of her back in x-ray scans, as well as an irregular bulge. At that time, it was recommended that she receive an ultrasound to check for cancer.

“(We had) an ultrasound in Strathmore on Halloween and then I didn’t even make it back to Rocky View County where my job site is before they called and said it was suspicious for malignancy,” said Murray. “We got an MRI on Nov. 12 … and that is when they started throwing around the ‘C-word’ a little bit, but we didn’t get the diagnosis until Nov. 20. That’s when they diagnosed her with Ewing Sarcoma.”

Murray added when Seely was taken for a PET scan, the results showed signs of cancer not just around the tumor, but all throughout her body.

Seely has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments since Dec. 1.

Despite the intensive nature of her treatments, Murray said her daughter has been “taking it like a champ” and is eager to get back in the saddle once her body is strong enough to do so.

Should Seely be to receive the proton radiation therapy, it would still be several months of chemotherapy before the process would be scheduled, and relocation with her mother would take place.

For any who are interested and able to support the campaign, donations are being accepted online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-daylas-fight-against-cancer.