The Halle Glasser Story – 2022

Halle Glasser is a warrior. She comes from a family of warriors. Her story, her journey, is a fight she learned from her father.  And her entire family.

Halle was diagnosed in November with poorly differentiated large cell neuroendocrine thymic carcinoma. Halle had developed a cough during volleyball season, and she and her family presumed it was exercise induced asthma. At times, Halle coughed so hard that she got sick, but she wanted to wait to see the doctor until after volleyball season ended. It ended on a Friday, and she went to the doctors the following Monday.

The family wasn’t even home yet when the doctor called and said she needed further tests.

A scan showed a mass the size of a cantaloupe next to her left lung. Further scans showed multiple spots in her bones and throughout her body.

With the help of a family doctor, she was admitted to Children’s Hospital within two days. Going to the hospital was the first day in her entire life she missed a day of school.

It took almost three weeks  for doctors to realize she had an unprecedented cancer, rarely seen in females or anyone other than adult male smokers.

Her cancer is essentially at stage 4. Halle began chemotherapy treatment and just finished her 5th round. Her large tumor is now shrunk to the size of an avocado, and many of her other spots are reduced or gone. She will continue her chemotherapy and then begin radiation.

Her journey continues, and this young warrior fights. 

When Halle first began chemotherapy, she would go to school in the mornings, before the treatment, and she tried to go to school throughout but realized she just didn’t have the energy.

Halle misses school and sports, and her job as a lifeguard, but she is stalwart in pushing forward.  

Pushing forward is what she has learned from her family. Halle has two older brothers, Hugh, 20, and Hank, 18.  Halle’s mother, Jean, passed away shortly after she was born. Her father Jon pushed forward in those early days, caring for his three children after losing his wife.

Jon reconnected with his high school friend Tina, and they married years after the passing of his wife.  Tina is not the stepmother to them all; she became the mother to Halle and the boys, and she and Jon had a son together, Oliver.

All of her brothers have stepped up during this time, helping with chores and being a support for everyone.

Halle is a sweet, spicy, charming young person, with a quiet and quick wit and disarming demeanor. When asked how she is fighting this fight, approaching her battle, she shrugged, saying she “just is doing what she needs to do”. Tina and Jon also grinned to share the story of a time when they were running late to one of her chemotherapy appointments, and Halle said, “Hey, this party doesn’t start without me.”

Halle also noted that it all happened so fast that she just hasn’t had time to think about it or dwell on it.

A sentiment she has learned from her father Jon, who, in 2005, when faced with being a single father of three children all under three years old, and losing his wife, realized, he just needed to keep pushing on.

Halle and her family were surprised to learn that many people nominated her to be the Happy Smackah.  They all thought of “one person” who likely nominated her.

Many nominated her, all moved by her journey. Dozens of people who love and respect the family, who have counted on them, and their deep presence and contribution to Skyline high school. The Glasser family have all gone through Skyline, and Halle’s father Jon has taught there for nearly 30 years.

Halle has a deep commitment to many sports. She runs cross country,  plays volleyball, basketball, and soccer.  She balances school, work as a lifeguard, and all of her sports.  It’s what she misses, being so involved in her community and teams. But her outlook is at once pragmatic and philosophical. Halle is an inspiration. Her family is an inspiration. Her father, Jon, knows how to keep pushing on, and her mother Tina, has warrior strength and an unbridled determination for fighting any fight, learning all she can to help.

The entire family is an inspiration to us all. And we cannot be more humbled and pleased to have Halle Glasser and her family as this year’s Happy Smackah.  Halle is looking forward to seeing her  teammates, friends and the community run or walk the 5k on May 7th.  

We are proud to support Halle Glasser as the 2022 Happy Smackah. We thank you for your help and support in any way that you are capable – by participating in our Happy Smackah 5k Fun Run on May 7th, through a General donation, or by Volunteering.

We are also seeking Sponsors!  If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please visit our Sponsors Page or contact us by email.  Register for the 5k Fun Run Today!