Our daughter Hailey has been courageously battling Cushing’s Disease (severe hypercortisolism) for over seven years. This rare and life-altering disorder is caused by a tumor on her pituitary gland, leading to dangerously high cortisol levels that have impacted nearly every aspect of her health—causing rapid weight gain, chronic fatigue, heart palpitations, and frequent illness.

She was first officially diagnosed in 2020, but symptoms have been present since she was 8; however, they were brushed aside by doctors. Since the official diagnosis, Hailey has undergone two brain surgeries to remove the tumor. The first surgery in 2021 initially appeared successful, but due to her rare tumor biology—which causes accelerated regrowth—the disease returned. A second surgery in June 2025 was unsuccessful, and her cortisol levels remain dangerously elevated.

(Photo: Hailey getting checked into pre-op before her second surgery at Cedars Sinai in June)

Now, Hailey’s treatment options are extremely limited. The next steps involve medications not approved for children, prescribed off-label, which insurance only partially covers, if at all. The NIH referred her to a clinical trial for a new medication recently approved for adults. Hailey is one of only two children enrolled in the study, which requires travel to San Francisco every 3 weeks for nearly a year. The trial carries risks—including potential adrenal crisis, a life-threatening emergency—but it may be her best chance at relief. Hailey is bravely participating not only for herself but in hopes of helping other children with this rare disease in the future.

(Photo: Hailey getting some extra cuddles from her dogs when she's not feeling well)

With this disease, we have recently found out that she has an 80% higher risk of developing certain cancers such as: Colorectal, Thyroid, Skin, and Lung Cancer; as well as her specific aggressive tumor growth on her pituitary has a chance to turn into a carcinoma due to her age and cellular structure if only medicated with no removal. With this new information, she has now been referred to an oncology, where they will monitor her via imaging every 3 months.

All remaining treatments, including gland removal, come with a high risk—or certainty—of infertility and a lifelong need for hormone replacement therapy. Gamma Knife Radiation can also try and target the tumor, but may take years to take effect, causing irreversible damage to healthy brain cells and tissue.

Hailey’s greatest wish, beyond becoming a pediatric nurse, is to one day have a family. Her doctors, including one of the top Neurosurgeons and one of the top Endocrinologists on the West Coast are urging egg retrieval and storage before further treatment and surgery, but this is another costly procedure that insurance does not fully cover.

We’re raising funds to help cover:

Hailey’s fight is far from over, but with your support, she has a real chance at a healthier future—and the hope of building the life she dreams of.