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Thirteen-year-old Hailey Giebel is a force on and off the softball field. The eighth-grader at JFK Middle School in Bethpage is admired for her fierce competitive streak, humor and kindness, qualities that have made her a standout among her peers.
Now, the Bethpage community and beyond are wrapping their arms around Hailey and her family as she battles against leukemia. In less than one day, nearly 650 donations have poured into a GoFundMe campaign established to support Hailey and her family during her treatment and recovery.
Hailey, a star softball pitcher on her school and the New York Lady Nightmares Club under 14 softball teams, was diagnosed this week with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to the GoFundMe page. She has begun her fight supported by her parents, Randi, who grew up in Bethpage, and Dan, and younger sister Aubrey, a student at Charles Campagne Elementary School. The diagnosis has shaken her family, friends, teammates and teachers, who describe Hailey as “a sweet, loving, funny, and kind girl.”
She’s ‘a fighter’
“[Hailey] is a very special talent and has an extremely bright future ahead of her. She is an extremely strong, confident, beautiful and sweet young lady that has something right now that is really unfair,” reads an Instagram post from the Lady Nightmares Club. “She is a complete stud pitcher on the field and very bright in the classroom as well … She is a fierce competitor on the field and I know that her competitive streak will get her through this as this kid is a fighter.
“We love you kiddo and can’t wait till you kick this disease right in the throat and beat this,” the post continued.
Undergoing treatment
Created to help the family with medical expenses, meals and other associated costs, the GoFundMe effort had raised $54,541 as of 5 p.m. on Thursday.
“This news has rocked her family, friends, teammates, teachers, and all who love her,” reads the GoFundMe page that was established by family friends Michele Devine and Nicole Hyatt. “Anyone who has met Hailey knows that she is a sweet, loving, funny, and kind girl, and her family would give the shirt off their backs to help anyone in need.”
Hailey’s parents have needed to take time off work to be with her as she undergoes treatment.
Those wishing to contribute can visit the GoFundMe page at ‘Rally for Hailey Giebel.‘
“We know in our hearts that she will beat this, but she has a difficult road ahead of her,” Devine and Hyatt wrote. “The family appreciates the love, support, and prayers for their girl. Please keep the prayers coming!!”
Hailey’s club softball team added, “This will be a financial burden on her family as she is receiving treatments at the hospital which will require them to miss work, endure travel expenses, and there’s always unforeseen medical bills, and other obstacles.”
A hashtag call out dedicated to Hailey’s fight has also been established: #RALLYFORHAILEY
Top photos: Hailey Giebel, a star pitcher in travel and school softball in Bethpage, was diagnosed this week with leukemia (Sources: Instagram and GoFundMe).