Inspiring a New Generation to Dream Without Limits
At just 10 years old, Hayley was diagnosed with bone cancer—a life-altering moment that set her on an extraordinary path. Undergoing chemotherapy and limb-sparing surgery saved her leg, and the care she received at St. Jude became a defining part of her story. Today, as a Physician Assistant at the very hospital that once treated her, she’s come full circle, dedicating her career to giving back.
In 2021, Hayley took her journey to new heights—literally—when she became an ambassador for St. Jude on Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth. After six months of intensive training, she served as the mission’s medical officer, conducting biomedical research in space while helping raise over $240 million for St. Jude. Along the way, she made history as the first person with a prosthesis in space, the first pediatric cancer survivor to orbit Earth, and the youngest American astronaut. The mission was chronicled in Netflix’s docuseries Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space.
Post-space, Hayley continues her work as a PA while embracing a newfound perspective on life and exploration—having now traveled to all seven continents. Inspired to share her journey, she has authored multiple books, including her memoir Wild Ride: A Memoir of IV Drips and Rocket Ships, the young readers’ edition Wild Ride: My Journey from Cancer Kid to Astronaut, and the children’s picture book Astronaut Hayley’s Brave Adventure.
From childhood cancer survivor to astronaut, Hayley’s story is one of resilience, adventure, and the power of giving back.
Your story is one of incredible resilience—from being diagnosed with cancer at age 10 to becoming a physician assistant at St. Jude. How did that experience shape your outlook on life and purpose?
Overcoming a life-threatening illness at such a young age gave me an incredible zest for life. I wake up every day filled with gratitude, knowing how precious each moment is. That perspective has shaped everything I do—I’ve learned to embrace every opportunity that comes my way, which is why I said yes to going to space. There were many factors behind that decision, but at the heart of it was my genuine love for life and my desire to experience all that I can.
Having cancer also gave my life a profound sense of purpose. Even at 10 years old, while going through treatment, I knew I wanted to help other kids facing the same challenges. Becoming a physician assistant at St. Jude is the realization of that dream, and it feels like the most fulfilling full-circle moment.
You’ve faced challenges that most people never will—what mindset helped you overcome those difficult moments?
Hope has been my guiding force. I’ve faced some incredibly tough days, but I always held on to the belief that better days were ahead. I learned that hope isn’t just something you passively feel—it’s a choice you make, and it’s absolutely essential for getting through difficult moments.
Everyone goes through challenges. For me, it was childhood cancer, but we all face something in life that tests our resilience and threatens to take away our hope. The key is to never let go of it. Hope gives you strength, perspective, and the ability to keep moving forward, even when things feel impossible.
Many childhood cancer survivors struggle with fear or uncertainty about the future. What advice would you give to those navigating similar experiences?
It’s completely natural to feel fear about the future, especially after going through something as difficult as cancer. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life has a way of surprising you in the most incredible ways. Hold onto hope—there are better days ahead, better than you can even imagine. When I was in treatment at 10 years old, I never could have dreamed that one day I’d go to space. The unexpectedness of life is often what makes it so beautiful.
Becoming the youngest American in space and the first pediatric cancer survivor to do so is historic. What was the moment like when you first learned you’d be part of the Inspiration4 mission?
I was absolutely shocked! I hadn’t applied for a seat or even heard of the mission before I was asked. Before Inspiration4, my health history would have prevented me from ever becoming a government astronaut, so space wasn’t something I had ever imagined for myself. But as soon as they asked, I was SO excited—I immediately said yes! Then I paused and said, “Let me check with my mom, but my answer is yes.”
Space travel requires both physical and mental resilience. How did you prepare for the mission, and what was the biggest challenge you faced in training?
We went through six months of intensive training to prepare for the physical and mental challenges of space travel. One of my biggest hurdles was climbing Mt. Rainier—it was our crew bonding exercise, and I was terrified that something might happen to my leg that could jeopardize my ability to go to space. I had to push through that fear, stay present, and trust the process.
Most of our training took place in the spacecraft simulator, where we practiced handling different scenarios—including one simulation that lasted 30 hours straight. We also completed hypoxia training to prepare for low-oxygen environments, zero-gravity training, centrifuge training to experience intense G-forces, and water survival training in case of an ocean landing. In the classroom, we studied the mechanics of our spacecraft and our roles on the mission. Every step of training pushed me beyond my limits, but it also prepared me to be ready for anything once we got to space.
Can you describe what it felt like to experience weightlessness for the first time?
The moment I unbuckled and floated up, I said out loud, “This is the weirdest sensation I’ve ever experienced.” Then, almost instantly, I fell in love with it. Weightlessness felt so freeing—suddenly, I wasn’t bound by gravity. I could flip in the air, float on the ceiling, or move in any direction with just the slightest push. It was pure joy, like I could do anything.
What was the most surreal moment for you while looking back at Earth from space?
The first time I saw Earth through our cupola window, I was completely stunned. Our planet is breathtaking. I was mesmerized, unable to move, just taking it all in. Seeing Earth from space is emotional and overwhelming in the best way—it gives you this deep realization that we are all one.
Your journey has inspired millions, especially young cancer patients. What does it mean to you to be a role model for others facing adversity?
One of the biggest reasons I said yes to going to space was knowing how much it could inspire kids with cancer. When you’re in the middle of treatment, it can be hard to see beyond it—to imagine a future where anything is possible. I wanted to show young cancer patients that having cancer doesn’t have to define them or limit their dreams. Not even the sky is the limit! I feel incredibly honored to be in this position, and if my journey gives someone hope, that means everything to me.
You’ve spoken about carrying the hopes of St. Jude patients with you to space. How do you continue to integrate that mission into your everyday work now?
I try to empower my patients and remind them that even if they don’t see it now, incredible things can come from their journey with cancer. I don’t always share my story—because when I’m with a patient, it’s about them, not me. But if I feel like it could help encourage them, I’ll tell them. Seeing the hope in their eyes always moves me. We now have many future astronauts at St. Jude—and I love that!
What’s next for you? Do you see yourself returning to space, or are there new frontiers you’re excited to explore?
I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to go to space. Part of me would return in a heartbeat, but I also want others to have that experience. Right now, I’m loving exploring Earth. I’ve now been to all seven continents, but I have no plans to slow down—I still have so much of the world I want to see! I’ve also really enjoyed sharing my story through my books: Wild Ride, its young readers’ edition, and my children’s book Astronaut Hayley’s Brave Adventure.
If you could have a conversation with your 10-year-old self today, what would you say?
I wouldn’t tell 10-year-old me that she’s going to space—I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise! But I would tell her, “It will get better—and it will be more incredible than you can even imagine.”
What is one lesson space travel taught you about life that you now carry with you every day?
I have a whole new appreciation and love for our planet. Seeing Earth from space made me realize how precious She is, and I want to do everything I can to protect Her.
How do you balance your work at St. Jude with the opportunities that have come from being part of such a groundbreaking mission?
My work at St. Jude will always be my priority, but this mission also showed me that we can have more than one purpose in life. I love my work as a PA, but I’ve also discovered how much I enjoy sharing my story with others as a speaker. I’m grateful to be making an impact in more than one way.
The Inspiration4 mission was about opening space for civilians—where do you see the future of space exploration heading, and what role do you hope to play in it?
I believe we’ll see more and more people going to space in the coming years. The commercial space industry is opening doors for people who wouldn’t have had this opportunity before—including those with complex medical histories like mine. I think commercial spaceflight will also lead to important research on the effects of space travel on the human body. I plan to keep advocating for space exploration, especially for civilians, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!
