Leg up for Rayas

If there is one thing I know about horse people, it is that when one of their own is down, they will be there in a heartbeat to help in any way they can. I am asking you now to please step up and donate to help Rayas and her mom cover medical and living expenses—both horse and human.

Our sweet 14-year-old friend Rayas and fellow horse girl is fighting the battle of her life, and her mom, Keiko, is facing every parent's worst nightmare: Rayas has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive childhood brain cancer. After months of emergency procedures and two brain surgeries, doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering were finally able to provide a diagnosis. Rayas has already started a long course of treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy.

Like most 14-year-old horse girls, Rayas’s horse Nikko is the center of her universe, and she is fighting so hard to be back with him and in the saddle again. She misses him terribly.

As a single mom, Keiko has had to step away from work to be with Rayas full-time. As you can only imagine, the financial burdens are mounting up significantly and quickly. Rayas is currently inpatient at MSK with her mom by her side day and night.

If you find it in your heart to help, in any amount, it would mean the world to them. Thank you for your kindness and generosity and for keeping them in your thoughts. Let’s all “Ride with Rayas” and get this kid over the finish line and back to the barn where she belongs.