Hayden Rouse

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Hayden’s Story

Hayden Rouse is a three-year-old from Bardstown, Kentucky.

In late 2025, he was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood eye cancer.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Hayden’s journey began with what was meant to be a routine preschool eye exam. The doctor noticed his retina appeared underdeveloped. Because he was born eight weeks premature, this finding was initially attributed to his early birth. A referral was made, and an appointment was scheduled.

More than three months passed.

On September 9, 2025, a pediatric ophthalmologist discovered a mass in Hayden’s left eye. The diagnosis was cancer.

As his mom recalls:

“In that moment, it felt like the air had been knocked out of me. After she said the word ‘cancer,’ I couldn’t hear anything else she was saying.”

Retinoblastoma tumors can double in size in as little as 14 days if untreated. Time matters.

Treatment Far From Home

Six days after his diagnosis, Hayden and his parents traveled eight hours from Kentucky to Wisconsin to begin treatment immediately.

He received intra-arterial chemotherapy, a three-hour infusion delivered directly through an artery in his leg, followed by hours under sedation. This cycle repeated every four weeks for four months.

While the tumor responded, doctors discovered vitreous seeding, cancer cells that had spread into the center of his eye. The tumor measured 9mm and, combined with the severity of the seeding, was classified as Grade D, just one step below a stage where the eye is often removed.

Because the vitreous has no blood supply, standard chemotherapy cannot reach these cells. Hayden now receives intravitreal chemotherapy injections every three weeks, requiring ongoing travel between Kentucky and Wisconsin with no clear end date.

“Cancer has touched every part of our daily lives. We live each day anticipating the next trip,packing bags, preparing Hayden, and driving more than eight hours one way for treatment.”

The Unseen Struggle

Hayden cannot be in public shared water spaces and will need glasses. Doctors have begun seeing signs of chemotherapy toxicity in his eye, an expected side effect that may affect vision but is necessary to continue treatment.

During trips, Hayden’s younger brother, Parker, stays behind in Kentucky. Preschool has been disrupted. So far in 2026, Hayden has only been able to attend school two days. The injections have also caused significant light sensitivity, further limiting his daily life.

To most people, Hayden doesn’t “look” like a child with cancer. He has not lost his hair, and the most noticeable sign is a slight squint in his eye.

But cancer is still there.

“Not all battles are visible, but they are no less real.”

A Chance to Just Be Hayden

Cancer has reshaped every part of Hayden’s family life. For 2026, they made one simple resolution: to create meaningful moments together while they can.

For a week, Hayden won’t be defined by appointments or procedures. He’ll be with his family, making memories, laughing, and resting in joy before returning home to continue the fight.