Meet CCA Hero, Hayden

Ten-year-old Hayden is a poised, polite young lady who is wise beyond her years. She loves art, reading, classical music, her mom’s snickerdoodles, and climbing in the trees around her house.

One morning before school, Hayden was climbing one of those trees when she fell and sprained her leg. An X-ray revealed that it wasn’t broken, but it also revealed bone cancer. Her family made the decision to move from their hometown of Willamina to Portland to be closer to her chemotherapy treatments.

Moving away from her friends was difficult for Hayden. Fortunately, Children’s Cancer Association was able to help relieve the loneliness and isolation often experienced by children in treatment, by matching her with a new Chemo Pal, Katarina.

“She was great,” said Hayden. “Katarina gave me something to look forward to.”

Music also provided a source of joy for Hayden, who performed the song “Faster Car,” for CCA’s Bedstock music festival. With her clear, pure voice, she sang the lyrics that define her:

nothing can break me / no, no / nothing can break me

Besides being a gifted vocalist, Hayden has some serious organizational skills which she intends to put to good use one day by becoming a professional party planner. Hayden has big plans in the more immediate future too, like going camping and taking a trip to Walt Disney World with her family.

When asked if she had any advice for other kids going through a medical challenge, she replied, “Work hard and you’ll get through it. And remember to be thankful for every single day.”

Wise words indeed.