Bailey was born on July 8th, 2010 in Las Vegas, NV. She arrived a little early but seemed to be doing fine. However, she developed an intestinal infection and had to have emergency surgery. Bailey spent the next four months in the Las Vegas Spring Valley Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
While we were in the NICU our family came up with the idea to produce a charity barrel race to help other families with sick children and to help out the very special doctors and nurses that staffed that unit.
We contacted Michael and Paula Gaughan who are the owners of the South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center to see if they could help us make this dream a reality. They generously donated the use of their amazing equestrian facility in November of 2011 for us to hold the first annual Buckles and Barrels for Bailey.
The first event was a huge success and we raised thousands of dollars which we donated to the Spring Valley Hospital Auxiliary. We were able to pay for some specialized training for the NICU staff, buy some much needed equipment and create a parent's room for families preparing to take their babies home from the NICU.
We realized that what we really wanted to do was to help other families with sick and injured children so we created our own 501c.3 under the name Because of Bailey and gained approval in 2017. Our mission is to help families with sick, injured and terminally ill children with medical expenses, the purchase of specialized equipment, travel expenses and the day to day costs to keep a household running while a child is in the hospital.
When Bailey was about three and a half years old we began to notice that she was struggling. She tripped and fell constantly, began stuttering, and started having seizures .We took Bailey to numerous specialists only to have her misdiagnosed over and over.
In September of 2016, a week after Buckles and Barrels for Bailey event, Bailey was admitted to UCLA Children's Hospital where we would finally receive the correct diagnosis. We were devastated to learn that Bailey has a rare degenerative terminal illness called Battens Disease (CLN 6).
We were told that Bailey didn’t have much time and that she would deteriorate quickly until her little body just gave up. However through hope and faith, our family refused to give up. We started doing research and discovered the Charlotte and Gwenyth Gray Foundation.
The Gray family has two daughters with the same diagnosis. They funded the research for a clinical trial initiated in Columbus, Ohio at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The trial involves injecting a replacement gene into the child to stop the progression of this terrible disease. Bailey was admitted to the trial and was the 5th person in the United States to receive a gene transfer.
Our hope was that the gene transfer would stop the progression of the disease and that Bailey might find her way back to us. It slowed the disease down and gave us more time but sadly Bailey lost her fight on October 4th, 2021. She always belonged to God and thankfully he let us live in her light for awhile. We are heartbroken and miss her sweet soul but we also know that her legacy will be one of hope, love, faith and strength. We will continue to honor her memory, cherish the relationships we have built through her and fight on for the other families out there battling for their own kids.
Buckles and Barrels for Bailey has raised thousands of dollars for families all over the country and has partnered with Ropin' Dreams to continue to lift up families while they face their worst nightmare. Please join us in making a difference.
Buckles and Barrels for Bailey is an annual charity barrel race held at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, NV. The race is completely ran by volunteers that believe in Bailey.
In 2021 we sold ALL the stalls at the South Point. And every year since.
Bailey put up the fight of her life and survived the surgery. She lost 70% of her small intestine. The next few weeks were an emotional roller coaster with some very dark days.
After 108 days in the NICU she finally got to come home. She recovered from her initial health issues only to be diagnosed with a rare, terminal genetic disease at 6 years old. We got Bailey into a clinical trial in Columbus Ohio where they replaced the defective gene in her brain hoping to stop the progression of the disease.
Sadly, we lost Bailey on October 4th, 2021. We will continue to honor Bailey and help other families like ours.
Our goal at BB4B is to help families like ours with sick, injured and terminally ill children with their medical expenses, equipment needs, travel costs or just living expenses while their child undergoes treatment. Please join us in making a difference!
Because of Bailey is an approved 501c.3 and all donations are tax deductible.
November 17-20, 2011 our family hosted the first annual Buckles and Barrels for Bailey benefit barrel race at the South Point Casino Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. All proceeds from this race went to the Las Vegas Spring Valley Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that saved our daughter Bailey's life.
In 2016, Because of Bailey was formed with the goal of helping families with sick and terminally ill children with travel expenses, medical bills and special needs equipment.
2024-09-17 I just wrote another donation check today bringing our total so far in 2024 to $71,000 in donations. We gave away $81,000 last year and I think with some help we can reach $100,000 by the end of the year. We no longer take applications for help because the scammers came out of the woodwork when we did. We rely on referrals now so that we can confirm we have legitimate requests. If any of you know of a family that needs help with medical bills, travel expenses, equipment not covered by insurance or day to day living expenses please let us know. You can email me at becauseofbailey@yahoo.com or send a private message to this page. We want to break a record this year and help as many people as we can! You all have helped us achieve amazing things in Bailey's name.
2024-12-18, I want all of you to know that two weeks ago I mailed out the check that put us at $102,000 in donations for this year. In two years we have given away $183,600! When I say we I mean all of us as a group. Anyone that entered the race, bought a raffle ticket or t-shirt, bid on a raffle item, entered the virtual race or donated to the cause helped make this happen! Thank you all for carrying on Bailey's legacy and helping families in some of the worst times of their lives.
2025-09-07
We had the best year yet! We could not do this without the help of so many people behind the scenes. I have always felt like this race is a reflection of the amazing people that help make it happen.
Thank you to the South Point for the generosity they have shown us over the years. We went from a little race with 175 contestants to one that now has a waiting list longer than that. They took a chance on us 15 years ago and because of their backing we have done amazing things. Their entire staff from the arena management team to the crew that takes care of the barn make this a great experience for everyone.
Stotz Equipment stepped in this year and supplied the tractor power that drove us to almost 60 runners an hour! We are incredibly thankful to them for their generosity.
We couldn't offer the kind of added money we have without the donations we received. So many of you were incredibly generous and in two separate posts I will put up all of their logos again. If any of these businesses are in your area please show your support to them for giving everyone some incredible added money to run for. With our prizes and added money we gave out just under $400,000 this year!
We have had some many of our friends and family show up to make this event happen. It takes an army to pull off something of this size. Without all of them we could not do this. I cannot put into words how much I love and appreciate them. They come from all over the country to spend this weekend helping us keep Bailey's legacy alive. Thank you all for loving us and believing in this cause.
We serve a mighty God who put us in a position to help other people. We will follow this path and our purpose even when it is difficult. We owe Him everything for bringing a beautiful little soul into our lives that ultimately saved us. Bailey Rae, I hope you are proud of what we have done in your name.
I have already started planning some things for next year. After I get through the taxes and 1099's in January I will start letting you know about entry dates for next year.
Thank you all for coming and making this event so much fun. I received some very funny gifts from some of you. I now own a cup and sweatshirt that make me laugh every time I look at them. The SPVR always shows up with fireball and snacks. A few of you definitely read my posts because I also ended up with green monsters, flaming hot cheetos and a lot of barefoot Moscato. Thank you all for enduring my sense of humor and showing your appreciation.
I really feel like the contestants help set the tone of this event and you all showed up ready to have some fun and help us raise some money for other people that could use some compassion and grace. I love walking through the barn and watching the celebrations over small victories and seeing everyone laughing and making memories. We have met so many people through this race that have become friends. It brings a smile to my face knowing that one little girl made this all happen.
We got home and I have to be honest, I slept for 16 hours. I woke up thinking about what an amazing year this was. Thank you to everyone that showed up to support this crazy family. We have so much love for you all!
The Charlotte and Gwenyth Gray Foundation exists to improve and save lives of all children impacted by Batten Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Thank you to the Gaughan’s for always being huge sponsor. We couldn‘t do it without them.
If you have any questions please email, call or text.
The below map and address are to the South Point Equestrain Center where the barrel race is held each year thanks to the generous donation b the Gaughan family.
South Point Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, Nevada 89183, United States