The Amazing Story of Hayley Arsenault – From Overcoming Cancer to Flying into Space

At age 10, American Hayley Arsenault was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare cancer sometimes referred to as "bone cancer." She beat the disease, but had to spend a year in the clinic, undergo several surgeries, and undergo 12 rounds of chemotherapy. Hayley now works as a physician's assistant at the clinic and helps other young patients. She also became the youngest American woman in space, starred in a film, and wrote two books.

Hayley Arsenault learned of her devastating diagnosis at the age of ten. She began limping noticeably, but didn't immediately notice it. She trained seriously in taekwondo with her father and even earned a black belt. Everyone assumed the leg pain was the result of a sports injury. But soon a lump appeared above her knee, and she had to undergo an examination.

The results shocked Hayley and her parents. Doctors diagnosed the girl with osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor. Now, Arsenault recalls that period of her life this way:

This medical facility is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and is considered one of the most advanced oncology clinics in the world. Hailey underwent chemotherapy every three weeks. In total, she completed 12 cycles in just one year. During this time, she also received 50 blood transfusions.

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All these measures helped stop the tumor's growth, and surgeons removed the affected bone. In its place, they installed an innovative prosthesis that can be expanded without surgery as the limb grows. At some point, the treating physician told Hayley she was completely healthy.

Arsenault experienced conflicting emotions. On the one hand, she was happy that her suffering was over. On the other, she didn't want to leave the hospital that had given her a second life. Then, Hayley decided she would definitely get a medical degree and return to work at the clinic. Thirteen years passed, and Hayley successfully completed her studies at the Louisiana State University of Medicine.

But her first resume, sent for a position at St. Thaddeus's Clinic, went unanswered. Arsenault then found a job as an emergency room physician in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2020, Haley applied again for a position at the oncology clinic, and this time she was hired. Haley became a pediatric assistant.

In 2021, Haley Arsenault became a participant in SpaceX's Inspiration4 project. This was the first-ever space mission to involve only civilians.

The spaceflight took place on September 16, 2021. In addition to Arsenault, the crew included billionaire Jared Isaacman, who paid for the flight and donated $100 million to the clinic; African-American entrepreneur and spacecraft pilot Shan Proctor; and former Air Force aircraft technician and engineer Christopher Sembroski.

Before the flight, all crew members underwent rigorous six-month training. This included flights on military fighter jets, mountain climbs, and a water survival course. Arsenault considers herself honored to represent cancer survivors in space.

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After three days in orbit, the crew returned to Earth. In space, Arsenault was able to put her medical knowledge to use, administering injections. It turns out that the peculiar behavior of fluids in zero gravity makes this quite challenging. But the main goal of the mission was to raise money for children with cancer.

After the mission's completion, it was revealed that $250 million had been raised. Furthermore, the Inspiration4 crew was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the first all-civilian crew. Hayley Arsenault became the youngest American woman in space and the first astronaut with a prosthetic limb. Sian Proctor also set a record, becoming the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft.

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The young woman continues to work at the oncology clinic and helps other children undergoing treatment. Hayley believes that her participation in the space mission inspires children battling cancer and gives them hope.

Hayley Arsenault's accomplishments don't end there. She starred in a documentary about the space mission, which was released on Netflix in 2022. Hayley has also written two books. The first, "Dream to Live," was published in 2021. The second, "This Will Be My Biggest Dream," was published in 2022 and became a bestseller.

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Categories: health and medicine, space

Tags: astronauts, hospital, treatment, Memphis, prosthesis