Team Hailey fights against cancer

Hailey was diagnosed with Wilms Cancer on January 15, 2013, after visiting a local Children's Health Care Center. Hailey was immediately admitted to Egleston Hospital then Hailey had surgery on January 18th removing her left kidney and Lymph Node. Hailey will start chemo within the next few days to clear the remaining cancer that has spread to her lungs.

Prior to being diagnosed Hailey was such a energetic happy kid. She loves to dance, sing, and model for the childrens department at Belk department store. Hailey attends Church of the Harvest International in Jonesboro, Georgia where she is being taught to be a good servant. We always say she has a big heart she loves to nurture others hurt or in need.  Even after surgery Hailey has not once complained about anything except wanting a chocolate chip cookie. 99.8 % of the time she is running around with a big smile or giving hugs.

 Hailey has taught her family alot in this week. She has done everything with a smile even though she is in pain. A few times she would say mommie I am okay. The day she was going into surgery she had the biggest smile on her face and she told the dr's I want a hat so I can look just like you. So they gave it to her, during the time she was in surgery my heart was at peace because she went in smiling and everything was going to be alright as she says. I believe that God is going to use her in a positive way and this is only the beginning.

Through this experience will come the birth of the Hailey Bankhead Foundation which will be used as a vessel to advocate for other families and children who are going through this experience, especially first-time-cancer families as ours. The foundation will provide treatment needs while helping other newly diagnosed cancer patients tools and educational resources so they may better understand the disease and the process. The foundation will also provide counseling to families seeking emotional support. The mission of the foundation is to reach others, teach others, support and be a blessing one child at a time, and family at a time.