Teen cancer survivor shares impactful Mary Bridge experience
Hailey, 17, is a high school junior who loves to play competitive soccer and has hopes of attending Central Washington University to study physical therapy or nursing. Her mom describes her as someone who’s tough, but always shows kindness to others. Hailey is also a fierce advocate for other cancer survivors like her.
More than a decade ago, at the age of four, Hailey was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.
“It’s all kind of a blur, but I remember the tremendous amount of support and help we had,” Hailey’s mom Holly says.
Mary Bridge Children’s became a familiar place for Hailey and her family as they embarked on a two-and-a-half-year cancer treatment journey.
Child and family-centered care and support
As soon as Hailey received her diagnosis, the family was surrounded by people and programs whose main focus was to alleviate extra stress on Hailey and her family.
“We live way out in Gig Harbor, so the care team set us up with nearby donor-supported housing,” Holly says. “Child life specialists brought Hailey a stuffed cat (that she still has) to demonstrate procedures or surgeries through medical play, social work connected us with financial aid options and throughout her treatment up until Hailey has enjoyed meeting with other cancer survivors at places like Camp Agape and Camp Good Times.”
The act of caring for their family beyond the cancer treatment and beyond medicine is what really stood out for both Holly and Hailey.
Hailey loves playing soccer
“What I love about Mary Bridge is that they’re so caring.” Hailey says. “As soon as you walk into the building, it’s a smile and a wave and a ‘hi’. If you’ve been going there for a long time, you’ll get to know everyone. But, even if it’s your first time, you’ll feel comfortable. I remember little things like them giving me Otter Pops when I visited or having toys in the waiting room.”
From 4 to 7 years old, Hailey was a regular at Mary Bridge Children, courageously facing every obstacle that ALL threw at her.
“I am most proud of Hailey because she’s a tough kid,” Holly says. “I remember Dr. Thomas said ‘she’s going do fine’ because she was a fighter. She fought those port pokes. She fought a lot of things, but that was good because it meant she had fire. She always wanted to play soccer and she wasn’t able to do that for a long time. I remember her watching other people play and she couldn’t — it was hard. Now she plays in a Division I elite club at the national level. I’m also proud how she treats other people. She stands up for everybody. She doesn’t take any day for granted either. She loves life.”
Navigating survivorship
As innovation and medical advancements increase, childhood cancer survivor rates increase as well, presenting a new challenge — managing and monitoring the long-term health of cancer survivors.
In 2016, Mary Bridge Children’s established a cancer survivorship program — with funding and support from the family of the late local entrepreneur and philanthropist, Pano Koumantaros — to help children and families address these unique needs, guided by a team that has a deep understanding of that child’s personal medical journey. Through individualized treatment plans, clinical staff work with the child and family to schedule future appointments and diagnostic tests and align long term care plans with national recommendations for care.
Hailey visits the survivorship program, yearly, to ensure she remains healthy. The team takes her vitals and checks in with her regarding her physical and mental health. Thankfully, Hailey passes with flying colors.
When Hailey reflects on her experience at Mary Bridge Children’s, it’s with fondness and passion for giving back to kids working through a cancer diagnosis.
“Mary Bridge became family to me, and I always knew I had a great team fighting for me,” Hailey says. “Mary Bridge gave me hope and always kept me dreaming about my goals and let me know anything was possible. I want to be a role model to other kids and help bring them that same hope. I want all of them to know that they can make their dreams come true.”
You can support cancer care for kids like Hailey at supportmarybridge.org.