This is Hailey. And, she is extraordinary. Just over a week ago, at only 26 years old, she heard the words no young mother, no young woman, should ever have to hear: she has colon cancer. And it has already spread to her lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. Friday, she had a port placed. Monday, she begins chemotherapy. Her life has been turned upside down in a matter of days. But to understand the weight of this, you have to know who Hailey is. Hailey is a mom, a fiancée, and a young woman of deep faith and incredible resilience. She is also the birth mother of our beautiful daughter. At just 17, while navigating trauma no person should ever endure, she made a selfless and courageous choice, one that shaped our family forever. Because of her strength and love, I became a mother. My husband became a father. My parents gained their only grandchild. Hailey gave us the gift of Charlee.

And now, she needs us.

Hailey is a devoted mother to her sweet 3-year-old son, Grayson. This past October, Grayson and our daughter were supposed to stand beside her as ring bearer and flower girl on her wedding day, a day she dreamed of, planned for, and was so excited to share. That joyful moment is now on hold as she pours every ounce of strength into fighting for her life.

As treatment begins, Hailey is unable to work, and the medical bills, travel costs, and basic living expenses will quickly become overwhelming. She should be able to focus on healing, not on how she will afford to get to her next appointment. We are asking, from the bottom of our hearts, for your help. Your donations, prayers, and shares mean more than we can express. Every bit of support lifts a weight off her shoulders and gives her more time, space, and hope to fight this battle and spend time with her family.  

Thank you for standing with Hailey, for caring about her story, and for helping us hold her up during the hardest moment of her life.