Child cancer survivor to crop her hair for local charities

Childhood cancer survivor Emilia-Mae, from Plympton, is to have her hair cut short to raise vital funds for two local children’s cancer charities.

Emilia-Mae was just eighteen months old when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. She was treated for seven months with intensive chemotherapy drugs which made her hair fall out. It will be a poignant moment for Emilia-Mae and her family; in her five years post treatment she has never had her hair cut short.

Michael, Emilia-Mae’s dad, said: “It has been a long time coming really. She struggles so much with her hair now. We have a daily battle with tangles but the decision has been tough given she lost her hair when she was in treatment.

“I was with her when her hair began to fall out. That night had been a difficult one; she was restless, with a temperature and in pain. Not able to settle her in her cot, I sat and comforted her in a reclining chair, we remained there all night. In the morning when I lifted her back to her cot she left a matt of tangled hairs on my dressing gown – I was in pieces.

“So, for me, I think it will be especially difficult to watch her have her hair cut off. At least by making it into a fundraising event I know that many other children with cancer will benefit from doing it and that is what will get me over my personal insecurities about it.”

Emilia-Mae’s hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust, where it will be made into a wig for another childhood cancer sufferer.

The two charities that the family have chosen to support are the Derriford Children’s Cancer Charitable Fundand Tanya’s Courage Trust.

“We are honoured to be supported by Emilia-Mae and her family and to be working with Derriford Children’s Cancer Service.” Said Iris Billing, founder of Tanya’s Courage Trust. “We are entirely funded by public donations and could not continue to support young people with cancer in Plymouth without support like this. So we would like to offer our sincere thanks to Emilia-Mae’s family for choosing to fundraise for us.”

Speaking on behalf of the Derriford Children’s Cancer Charitable Fund, a charity he has supported since his daughter’s illness, Michael said: “As a parent who has lived through the challenges of having a child with cancer, I can tell you first-hand that the money raised will help make a huge difference to some very sick local children.”

To support Emilia-Mae you can donate at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MichaelWallis8