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.