Hailey Johnson
2003 Community Hero
Hailey is a real-life superhero, powered by her favorite foods, tortellini, french fries and garlic bread. She is also a ballet dancer extraordinaire, a gymnast-in-the-making and a best friend to "Bleu," her dog.
Hailey faces not one, but two life threatening illnesses. In April of 2001, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a form of blood cancer. Then, in September of 2002, it was determined that Hailey also suffered from Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a disease that affects the lungs. Little Hailey has become very familiar with medical treatments and hospitalization. She faces endless pokes, chemotherapy and chronic pain in the treatment of ALL and the ongoing physical chest therapy and medications required to treat CF.
Her mom, Marisa says that Hailey's bravery is astonishing. "You would never know by looking at Hailey or watching her play that she has these illnesses." When asked what she would tell other kids who were sick, Hailey shares the words of a hero. “I would tell them that I would be their friend. I would not laugh at them or make fun of them. I would tell them that I love them”.
