Paton Student Donates Birthday Gifts [Video]

Haley's father, Jim Roche, submitted the following letter describing his daughter's donation:

My 7-year-old daughter Haley asked if she could do something different for her birthday this year. She said she would rather see people donate money to a good cause than to buy her birthday presents. So, on the invitations to her birthday party we asked people to donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, in lieu of presents. Haley set a modest goal to raise $250 and we set up a donation site for her on the Susan G. Komen website.

Haley has a unique perspective when it comes to cancer. She has seen numerous relatives and friends battle with the disease and she wanted to do something to help. One of her grandmothers is in an ongoing struggle with brain cancer and the other is a breast cancer survivor. Her aunt is also a breast cancer survivor and has been a spokesperson for her local cancer treatment center and a tireless fundraiser. Haley has also watched close friends of the family and neighbors deal with the pain and the loss that cancer brings.

Haley’s determination to help those with cancer started a year ago when she went for her first real haircut. She asked the hairdresser to cut off her long, gorgeous, curly blond locks to send in to Locks for Love. She stared down anyone who tried to talk her out of it and told them she wanted to help children who go bald from the treatments, so I was not surprised at Haley’s idea for her birthday fundraiser.

At her birthday party, Haley and her friends made and decorated get-well cards for a close friend of the family, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and was going through radiation treatments at that time. These beautiful, thoughtful cards were a big emotional boost to us all during a difficult time, and the kids really enjoyed the activity.

With the help of many generous friends and supporters, Haley has raised over $1,500 for cancer research. She is extremely excited that her appeal will go to researchers working toward a cure, and she’s thankful for all our friends and relatives that made this possible. Personally, I am thankful for my incredible daughter, and couldn’t be more proud of her choices even at such a young age.  Her determination to be an active participant in this battle demonstrates a depth and understanding beyond her years, and inspires me to pay close attention to my own choices and interactions with others on a daily basis.

Haley is a third-grader at the and she also loves to dance.