GREAT AMERICAN COWBOY
Sat Nov 2nd, 7pm
Casper, Wy
Central Wyoming Fairgrounds Arena
1700 Fairgrounds Rd
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CASYN'S STORY
Each year, the Tribute to the Great American Cowboy Rodeo holds a special
ceremony, honoring a child through Jason’s Friends Foundation.
Casyn is the 2024 honoree.
Casyn/Sheridan Diagnosed in 2022 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at
age two.
In 2022, Casyn was getting over the flu when he started feeling very lethargic. His
parents, Cashlee and Chantz, felt like something more was going on, so they made
a trip to the emergency room. They were quickly life-flighted to Denver Children’s
Hospital where they received the news that would impact their lives forever –
two-year-old Casyn had cancer.
Over the next two years, Casyn went through extensive chemotherapy. He and
his mom had to leave Sheridan and live in Denver for a year and a half. They spent
some weekends back home seeing his dad, brother and sister, but were life-
flighted back to Denver five more times. Casyn was allergic to one of his chemo
drugs, so he endured shots in his leg every other day throughout his treatment.
He had spinal taps and spinal chemo every three weeks under general anesthesia.
At one point, he had sepsis, and his liver was shutting down.
Casyn did not take the typical road to recovery and had many ups and downs. Not
being outside and around animals drained Casyn, so when he was able to be
home his parents could not get him away from his horses and dogs no matter
how good or bad he felt.
Casyn finished his treatment in June of 2024. He continues to go to Denver every
three months for follow-up appointments at Denver Children’s Hospital.
Casyn is now five years old and just started kindergarten (which he loves!). He still
has his love for all animals but mostly his dog, Pumba and his horse, Shirley. He is
feeling so much better and playing like all little boys should.
Casyn is cancer free.
A special thank you to Jason’s Friends Foundation for currently assisting 165
Wyoming families whose children suffer from life threatening childhood cancers
and brain or spinal cord tumors. They provide critical financial assistance,
advocacy and encouragement.
Jason’s Friends Foundation
Jason’s Friends exists to assist Wyoming families whose children from birth
through age 20 suffer from cancer, brain tumors or spinal cord tumors by providing
financial assistance, advocacy and encouragement. With no pediatric cancer
facilities within Wyoming families must travel great distances for primary
treatment. Jason’s Friends provides monetary assistance for travel expenses
(fuel, lodging, meals, airfare), household bills (mortgage, utilities, car, phone) and
medical insurance deductibles.
For more information, please contact Jason’s Friends Foundation, 1701 East E
Street, Suite 100, Casper, WY 82601. (307) 235-3421. jasonsfriends.org
THROUGH THE YEARS
Past Recipients 2023 Brooklyn/Casper, WY – Diagnosed 6/2019 with High Risk Neuroblastoma at age 4. 2019 Jase/Casper, WY - Diagnosed 6/21/2016 with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia at age 2. 2018 Colter/Casper, WY - Diagnosed 9/9/2015 with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia at age 2. 2017 Henry/Casper, WY - Diagnosed 3/14/2016 with High-Risk Neuroblastoma at age 5. 2016 Logan/Bar Nunn, WY - Diagnosed 11/23/2013 with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia at age 3. 2015 Emma/Casper, WY - Diagnosed 7/14/2003 with TSM - 21 brain tumors at age 2 weeks. 2014 Colton/Cheyenne, WY - Diagnosed 4/16/2010 with Esthesioneuroblastoma at age 4. 2013 Mikey/Evanston, WY - Diagnosed 5/16/2009 with Leukemia at age 5. 2012 Sami/Cody, WY - Diagnosed 05/18/2001 with Neuroblastoma at age 13 months. 2011 Kolton/Douglas, WY - Diagnosed 02/12/2011 with Rhabdomyosarcoma at age 5. 2010 Oakley/Casper, WY - Diagnosed 06/29/2010 with Rhabdomyosarcoma at age 3. 2009 Thomas/Sheridan, WY - Diagnosed 5/22/2003 with Rhabdomyosarcoma at age 9 months. 2008 Jace/Casper, WY - Diagnosed 5/01/07 with Osteogenic Sarcoma at age 5. 2007 Ariana/Laramie, WY – Diagnosed 1/12/06 with Ewing’s Sarcoma at age 8.
