Henry Repeating Arms has released a limited-edition series of 50 “Team Baylee” lever-action rifles to help raise funds to cover the rising number of uncovered expenses and co-pays faced by the parents of 10-year-old Baylee Rish as she undergoes advanced cancer treatment. The donated rifles—available for purchase while supplies last—are a continuation of the company’s “Guns For Great Causes” charitable efforts, focusing primarily on pediatric cancer cases and children’s cancer hospitals.
In December 2022, Baylee was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), a rare and aggressive form of blood and bone marrow cancer. Treatment is intense, with some weeks consisting of up to four consecutive days of chemotherapy, spinal tap chemo injections and spinal bone marrow sampling. The Florida family has more to come, with her course of treatment running through March 2025.
Available exclusively through Henry Repeating Arms’ website, all proceeds from the “Team Baylee” rifle sales will be given to the Rish family. They will offset mounting insurance copays and the out-of-pocket expenses associated with traveling 2.5 hours each way for treatment.
Additionally, the first and last rifles in the collection, serial numbers TEAMBAYLEE01 and TEAMBAYLEE50, are up for auction to allow collectors the chance to enhance the fundraising effort. Total proceeds are expected to exceed $40,000.
“There are few things in this world more unfair than a childhood cancer diagnosis,” said Anthony Imperato, founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms. “To endure what these kids go through during treatment and still be able to crack a smile that lights up the room is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The opportunity to help these families is a part of our business that I deeply cherish, and I’m sending a big hug to Baylee and her family.”
The Henry “Team Baylee” limited-edition rifle is built on the award-winning Golden Boy Silver .22 S/L/LR with features including a nickel-plated receiver cover, barrel band, and buttplate, a 20" polished octagonal steel barrel with blued finish and genuine American walnut furniture embellished with playful artwork inspired by Baylee’s life. Her love of animals and her desire to be a dolphin trainer when she grows up takes center stage with a bottlenose dolphin diving out of a wave and over the words “Team Baylee.” A paintbrush adds a streak of purple, which complements the vibrant marine blues and represents Baylee’s love for drawing and painting. Baron Engraving of Trumbull, Conn., donated its services for the artwork design, engraving and hand painting.
“Our family would like to thank the team at Henry sincerely. Your kindness and generosity are unbelievable and have brought us to tears many times throughout the process,” said Blake Rish, Baylee’s father. “To all of the amazing people buying and bidding on these rifles, I truly hope we cross paths one day so we can personally hug your neck and say thank you.”
