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Girl's Name Sparks Global Search for Support
10 Apr
Summary
- Young Kirsty battles brain tumor, inspiring a global search for others with her name.
- The campaign aims to unite 'Kirstys' to support research into childhood brain tumors.
- Over 1,000 individuals named Kirsty have joined the map so far, showing broad support.
An 11-year-old named Kirsty, currently in her second year of chemotherapy for a brain tumor diagnosed in November 2024, has initiated a remarkable global campaign. She seeks to connect with everyone worldwide who shares her name, spelling variations included. This endeavor aims to foster a sense of unity and gather support for vital research into pediatric brain tumors, a leading cause of cancer death in individuals under 40.
The 'My Name is Kirsty' website features a clickable map displaying participants. Red stars mark individuals named Kirsty, while green hearts signify supporters. The campaign, spearheaded by Kirsty's father Mat Waugh, highlights the critical underfunding of childhood cancer research, with only 3p in every £100 of government cancer funding allocated to it. Donations directly support research projects vetted by OSCAR's Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity.
Mat Waugh shared that the idea stemmed from Kirsty's increased treatment duration and her previous success in raising £120,000 for Children with Cancer UK through her crochet projects. Believing that those with her name would be kind and supportive, Kirsty suggested reaching out to them. The campaign has already identified over 1,000 'Kirstys' globally, with notable participants including UK's top badminton player Kirsty Gilmour, further amplifying the initiative's reach and impact.
