One of five St. Baldrick's Foundation 2014 Ambassadors Read more of Hayden's story on our blog. In the summer of 2012, Hayden was a happy, carefree 3-year-old who loved swimming and fishing in rivers. His whole world changed when, just five days shy of his fourth birthday, Hayden was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hayden’s cancer diagnosis forced him to grow up fast. Just three months into treatment, Hayden proudly learned to swallow pills so he no longer had to taste the yucky cancer medicine. “He has a take-control approach towards his care,” his mom says, and he never fails to question the purpose of every medication, procedure, or change to his treatment plan. He likes to take part in flushing his own port and he especially delights in showing his nurses how to use their stethoscopes. He suffers from neuropathy and chemotherapy related joint pain, making it hard for him to walk for long periods of time. But that doesn’t stop Hayden from running after, or away from, his younger twin brothers, Colten and Corbin. And Hayden is always quick to jump at the chance to help out on the family farm, especially if it involves riding on the tractor next to his dad. When Hayden isn’t at the hospital or outside playing baseball, he enjoys building forts with his grandmother, or “Mam-Maw.” Hayden’s whole family looks forward to February 2016, when he will be done with his cancer treatment. Then, Hayden wants to focus all of his energy not on fighting cancer but on his next greatest feat: becoming Batman. __________ Hayden's story, as written by his family: Hayden is an amazing little boy who's life and the life of his family was forever changed when an emergency room visit on Nov. 7 2012 brought the discovery that Hayden had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Hayden has now endured nearly a year's worth of chemotherapy and nearly 3 months of that time has been spent hospitalized at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis. By supporting St. Baldrick's Foundation you will be helping fund childhood cancer research in the hope that Hayden and many, many other kids might not have to endure this horrible disease. Children should only have to worry about having fun and enjoying their youth. No child should have to suffer through cancer or chemotherapy. By giving to St. Baldrick's Foundation of your time, talent, or money you can help Hayden and the other 300,000 kids diagnosed each year to find a cure!