Help Cassandra raise money

Miss Hayley has been part of our lives since my daughter was just six months old. From those first classes, she had a gift for connecting with little ones—turning wiggles into movement, movement into confidence, and every tiny step into something worth celebrating. Over the years, she helped guide my daughter from a baby learning balance to a curious four-year-old full of joy and independence. Like so many families, we know Miss Hayley not just as a teacher, but as someone who pours her heart into the children and families around her.

Around her 27th birthday, Miss Hayley received heartbreaking news: she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. The same person who has spent years encouraging our kids to be brave, try again, and keep moving forward is now facing an incredibly difficult challenge of her own.

As I train for my first full marathon during Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend, I keep thinking about all the “first steps” Miss Hayley has helped so many children take. Running 26.2 miles is a huge personal milestone for me, but dedicating those miles in her honor makes the journey far more meaningful.

Through this fundraiser, I’m raising money for Young Adult Survivors United (YASU), an organization that supports young adults whose lives have been impacted by cancer. YASU provides community, resources, and support to people navigating a diagnosis during one of life’s most formative seasons.

Miss Hayley has helped our children take their first steps with confidence. Now I’ll be taking 26.2 miles in her honor.

Please take a moment to learn more about her impact in the community:

A Whole New World: Finding My Purpose in Early Childhood Education

Governor Calls Pittsburgh Child Care Teacher to Share $25M Workforce Win

Chatham University Head Cheer Coach