Hayes Tate: the reason behind everything here at the HayesTough foundation.
It all started when Steve and Savanna Tate went into their doctor for a routine ultrasound. To their shock, the doctor let them know that they were pregnant with 3 babies, but she was unable to find a heartbeat for Baby C, the baby closest to Savanna’s heart. The doctor explained that most likely, that baby was not going to survive and to come back in 2 weeks to recheck for a heartbeat.
Two weeks later, Steve and Savanna returned to the doctor to discover that their beautiful Baby C had a strong heartbeat. Baby C was our fighter, Hayes! Because of that fight, Hayes’ parents gave him the middle name of Kyle, after Chris Kyle from American Sniper. He has defied the odds from the beginning.
On March 12, 2015, Steve and Savanna welcomed Hayes into this world with his triplet brother and sister, Heath and Reese. He was the baby of the triplets and the youngest of 6, but the first to fight his way home from the NICU.
Hayes has been a fighter from the moment they saw his little heartbeat
fluttering on the screen!
Life was pretty perfect for the Tate family until sweet Hayes started getting sick. Misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis of what doctors thought was a virus, eventually ended with Hayes in the ER at Primary Children's Hospital where his parents refused "virus" for an answer. On January 7, 2016, doctors discovered a tumor that took up 1/3 of his brain.
Life was pretty perfect for the Tate family until sweet Hayes started getting sick.
After surgery and biopsies, it was discovered that Hayes had an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer, Choroid Plexus Carcinoma.
On January 31, 2015, Hayes began the long journey of treatment where he would receive six rounds of an extremely high dose of chemo followed by a stem cell transplant.
Hayes always had a smile on his face, rarely crying or complaining about the pain he was in. He couldn't speak but you could see it in his eyes, he was strong! He was full of hope and because of his incredible fighting spirit, the Tate family promised the world to never take a day for granted!
On March 12, 2016, for the triplets first birthday, the Tate’s held their first ever HayesTough 5K in Holladay, Utah. The turn out was massive for Hayes and the show of support was a testament to the effect Hayes was having on the world. While bravely battling cancer, Hayes was bringing hope to thousands. He fought hard and went into remission for a brief, but beautifully perfect 6 months where Hayes got to celebrate at Disneyland with his family. It was the happiest time of their lives.
In November, Hayes' cancer returned more aggressively than before.
On December 3, 2016, Hayes passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
Hayes still has such a huge impact on the world and the HayesTough Foundation is his way of being able to fulfill that mission! Hayes’ family, Steve, Savanna, Bo, Mia, Wes, Heath and Reese, along with supporters around the world are dedicated to keeping Hayes’ legacy alive through the HayesTough Foundation. The foundation believes that we all can be a part of the good. Through the work and dedication of the foundation, the world will never forget the 20 month legend that was Hayes Tate!
The foundation believes that we all can be a part of the good. Through the work and dedication of the foundation, the world will never forget the 20 month legend that was Hayes Tate!