On February 10, 2025, Hailey, 21, collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest while lifting weights with her East Carolina University track team. As she fell, she called out to a friend, who yelled for help and ran to get the AED while her coach called 911. Athletic trainers began CPR.

Hailey received 10 minutes of CPR and four shocks before her heartbeat was restored. She was later diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and Long QT Syndrome. Three days later, she received a pacemaker/ICD—and despite the odds, graduated from college just three months later.