Brave Katie, 11, donates hair in memory of 'lovely' dad killed by brain tumour
An 11-year-old girl from the Black Country has shaved her head to raise money to help find a cure for the disease which took her dad's life just three weeks ago.
Katie Williams, who lives just outside Dudley town centre, had her 18-inch locks cut off in her garden last weekend.
Her dad, Andy, died on October 11, aged just 33 years old. Andy was diagnosed in February 2017 with an inoperable diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) brain tumour, which is much more common in children. He was told it was incurable and that his survival prognosis was two to three years. His family were also warned that he would lose his speech and mobility.
He underwent gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment, which made Andy so ill he was forced to stop.
Katie is fundraising for the charity Brain Tumour Research and donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust.
Katie, a pupil at Jesson’s CE Primary School, said: “I have experienced a lot of heartache over the last three years of my life due to [the death of] my wonderful, brave and loving dad. I felt very upset when I was told my dad had brain cancer.
"I didn’t understand what it meant at first but then I learnt it was more serious than I thought. One night I had an uncontrolled breakdown and I cried for hours, not knowing if my dad would be around when I grew up.
“Every day since then, I wondered if my dad would survive this year, this month or even this week. I love my dad so much and it was desperately hard to cope seeing him slowly deteriorating until he couldn’t walk, talk or even open his own eyes.
“My dad, my family and I have been through so much. I want to share his story so I can help other families going through the same. I want to raise awareness of this life-disrupting disease through shaving all my hair off and donating it to someone who needs it more than I do.
“I love my head with no hair and I can certainly feel the wind now. I am so glad I went ahead with my head shave and thanks to trainee hairdresser Vicki Billingsley, who’s a student at Dudley College, for doing it.
“My dad was such a lovely man – I just wish he could have got better and grown old. And that he could be here to see me now."
Katie has already raised more than £3,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
Her mother, Toni, 32, said: “Katie has been so brave, although she is very angry with the cancer that took her daddy. She came up with the idea in Andy’s final two weeks when he was unable to open his eyes – he had already lost the ability to speak several months ago and then lost all control of his body. She said she wanted to give back for all the suffering her daddy had endured.
“I am so proud that Katie decided to go ahead with her head shave, despite the fact she is grieving. It takes a lot of courage, but Katie has always been very determined. And she really suits her new look.
“Katie was absolutely devoted to her dad. They had a very special relationship, strengthened by the fact that, in better times when Andy, a lighting designer, was working from home, he would take her to school each day and pick her up in the afternoon.
“We are delighted that Katie’s school, Jesson’s, are helping her reach her target with collections at school and a bulletin in the newsletter. Huge thanks too to Andy Saunders and The Entertainer toy stores in our area who have been fantastic with their support. I hope lots of people are moved to donate to realise Katie’s dream of sponsoring at least one day of research in memory of her dad, if not more."
Melanie Tiley, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, added: “We have been deeply touched by Katie’s selfless and courageous gesture in memory of her dad and are very grateful to her for telling his story and raising awareness. We hope lots of people will be inspired to help her raise vital funds to find a cure.”
To donate to Katie’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Katie-williams-headshave2020.
