Rosetown and Elrose rally behind former resident’s daughter in cancer fight

By David McIver

People in Rosetown and Elrose haven’t forgotten a former resident, nor his teenage hockey-playing daughter, in her fight against an aggressive form of cancer.

Scott Walker grew up just southwest of Rosetown and played minor hockey there and in Elrose, said his mother, Lori Walker, while speaking about his daughter Peyton, 16.

He, Peyton, wife Stacey and son Carson, 12, live in Wainwright, Alta., where he works as a recreation director.

In April 2024, Peyton was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft-tissue cancer described as “the beast,” said Lori Walker.

Despite medical treatment, the cancer came back in November.

Peyton underwent proton radiation — a treatment not yet available in Canada — in Jacksonville, Fla., during July, August and half of September 2024 for cancer that was on the left side of her chin, said Lori Walker. She also received chemotherapy treatments there.

“It was a real trying time for her,” said Walker.

When Peyton returned, she continued chemotherapy until July.

Lori and her husband, Kevin, spelled off the family by taking her for scans in Edmonton. Those scans were clear.

But scans in November showed the cancer had come back, said Walker.

Peyton is now waiting for a surgery date.

“She has to have surgery. That is her only option now,” along with more chemotherapy, said Walker.

The cancerous tumour surrounds her left eye, said her grandmother. “It’s a very tricky surgery, of course,” she said.

The family is prepared for complications and, if so, “We’d rather lose the eye than the life,” said Walker.

Doctors believe the cancer has shrunk enough for surgery and, once all the medical specialists are co-ordinated, a date will be set.

The care Peyton has received has been “second to none,” said Walker. Her oncologist is the best in Edmonton, and the family is thankful for that, she said.

While doctors feared the cancer would come back, Peyton went back to playing hockey, which she loves. “She is a trooper,” said Walker.

In her younger years, she did gymnastics and then moved to hockey, playing at one time on a AA peewee boys team, said her grandmother.

Peyton worked out all last summer and then went to Lloydminster, where she is billeted while playing right wing for the AAA U18 Steelers of the Alberta Female Hockey League.

The Alberta government picked up the entire bill for her and one parent to receive treatment in Florida. Most of their stay there was at the Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville, said Walker.

While waiting, chemotherapy treatments continue: five days at a time in Edmonton, followed by a two-week break, and then more treatments.

They have to pay for travel, meals and — if the Ronald McDonald House is booked — accommodation.

People around the area, certainly in Elrose, haven’t forgotten Scott from when he lived there, played hockey and worked as a hockey official.

That, along with the fact Peyton’s first cousins play hockey in Eston, was noted in an ad for a fundraiser to help the family with expenses.

People can buy tickets for a chance to win four tickets to an Edmonton Oilers game or a signed Leon Draisaitl jersey.

The draw date is Friday.

Those interested can contact Hayley Kingwell (306-561-7998) or Jodi MacDonald (306-378-7854).

“It was a team effort,” said Kingwell.

MacDonald and Hayley’s husband Jeff “were trying to think of ideas to support the Walker family,” she said, just before leaving to work in - appropriately enough - the kitchen in the Elrose rink.