x
Breaking News
More () »

Pediatric cancer survivor heads to space on SpaceX flight

Haley Arceneaux will also be the youngest American with a prosthesis to go to space.

WASHINGTON — SpaceX will make history with the first-ever all-civilian crewed mission to space. That, in itself, is incredible, but 29-year-old Haley Arceneaux will make history in her own right as well.

Haley is set to become the youngest American with a prothesis in space, as well as the first pediatric cancer survivor in space.

Haley is doing it for a great cause, too. She's raising awareness and money for St Jude Children's Research Hospital. That's where Haley spent a year in treatment when she was 10 years old. It's also where she now works as a physician assistant.

Her call sign for the space flight is NOVA, which stands for No Ordinary Vixen Astronaut. She shared how surviving cancer prepared her for her mission.

"Surviving cancer made me tough. And I think it taught me a lot about going out of my comfort zone," she said. "The journey has been so much fun. I think going to space will be almost be the cherry on top of the most incredible year I've ever had."

If you have something you'd like to share, email us at GetUplifted@wusa9.com or contact Allison Seymour on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Be sure to subscribe to the Get Up DC newsletter, where we'll be sharing an uplifting story every morning as well.

RELATED: Surgeon helps dog born with paws facing the wrong way | Get Uplifted

RELATED: Elon Musk announces Tesla's future humanoid robot

WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out