Community support surges for ‘25 grad battling cancer

The Big Horn Basin has rallied to support 2025 Greybull High School graduate Wyatt Didrickson, 18, and his family as they face a recent cancer diagnosis. 

“It’s been incredible the amount of love we’ve received and the amount of support we feel,” Jamie Didrickson, Wyatt’s mother, said on Facebook. “These are unknown times for us, there’s so many challenges that lie ahead for us, I just have to trust that God has got a plan in this.”

Wyatt is the son of Jan and Jamie Didrickson of Greybull. An all-conference football player, Wyatt graduated in May with the intention of joining the trades, working construction to save up and start a diesel performance and customs shop.

Wyatt was recently diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that typically affects children and teenagers. The family has travelled to Seattle Children’s Hospital, with treatments starting on Oct. 6. Jamie shared that this week, Wyatt will have a chemo port surgically placed, with further biopsies expected to help develop a treatment plan. 

Several organizations have risen the occasion to fundraise for meals, transportation and living costs for the Didricksons as they travel to Seattle. 

At last Tuesday’s annual Greybull-Riverside Pink Night volleyball match, Wyatt was the donee.

“Having just graduated, this hits home for many of our athletes and families who know him and his family,” volleyball coach Sara Schlattmann said. “It was so great to see everyone who just jumped in and gave.  We really have a great community.”

An intermission Serve-a-Thon, where audience members were invited to come to the court and try to serve over the net for a donation, raised a little over $800, with part of T-shirt sales by TK2.Design and an additional donation from owner Talysa Klein bringing in an additional $1,000. 

Greybull High School Student Council will host a silent auction in support of the Didrickson family during Homecoming, starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10. The community is invited to bid during the volleyball and football games that night. Several local businesses have donated. For more information, contact the school at 765-2537. 

On Oct. 18, Flying E Meats will host a “Help Smash Out Cancer” smash burger benefit for Wyatt at 525 Greybull Ave. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

An additional fundraiser will be held Nov. 7 at the Greybull Elks Lodge. A sloppy joe and chip dinner and silent auction, with 100% of money brought in to benefit the Didricksons, will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a live auction to follow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

“Any donation will be so appreciated,” organizer Judy Sorensen said in a release. “Anyone who would like to help, please reach out to me and we will get this done for them. Please lift Wyatt up in your prayers and his family as Wyatt goes to battle with this horrible disease.”

Donations can also be made in Wyatt’s name at Big Horn Federal, or under Wyatt Didrickson Cancer Fund at any First Federal branch. Digital donations can be made on Venmo to @Jamie-Didrickson. 

“I know that Wyatt is a fighter. His name means brave warrior, little fighter. He’s up for the challenge,” Jamie said. “Though no one would ever want to go through this, Wyatt is strong and he’s ready to battle. And he will battle well with his army of friends and family who love him, surrounding him as you all have done so well, and I just want to say thank you.”