who we are...

 

Samantha Werenski

Volunteer Director

 

To call myself Haley’s 2nd cousin just doesn’t give our relationship the title it deserves. I look at her mom misty like a sister. That is why Haley was more to me than my 2nd cousin. She was my niece, my friend, my inspiration, and my HERO. 

 

Haley was born to be great. Even when she was little she was perfect mix of sass and a heart of gold. Being older than her I remember watching her as a little girl and wondering how someone that young could teach me so much about how to be a better person. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t say to myself “What would Haley do?” When I struggle with things in my own life I always remember how brave she was with everything that came her way. Even in the toughest times of her life she handled it like a champ. Sometimes she handled it with laughter, sometimes she handled it by just simply moving past the negative and choosing the positive, and sometimes she handled it by playing multiple sides to try and get what she wanted. She was sneaky like that.

 

I was by her side as she went through the toughest time of her life and while I know there was those really hard days I still seem to remember so many funny and happy stories and Haley with a smile on her face. She never let anything bring her down.

 

Being on the board of this charity is nothing short of an honor for me. Heroes like Haley is committed to not only helping those in the pediatric brain cancer community but becoming part of their journey. Just like my relationship with Haley, I want be a part of our Heroes lives. I want people to count on us like family.  I want to make a difference.  

 

Forever in my heart and always on my mind I love you Haley Marie. Thank you for being my Hero.