Boy to shave head for sick dad

Wednesday 28 March 2018

A local teenager is shaving his head to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and to provide moral support to his own father who is currently undergoing treatment for Leukemia.

Alex Van Katwyk, 18, is going to shave his head on Saturday 31 March to show support for his dad Paul, who is losing his hair while he currently undergoes chemotherapy for AML in Southampton.

AML is acute myeloid leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood and affects the bone marrow. 

Mr Van Katwyk said: "The reason why I’m doing the doing fundraising is because Macmillan nurses are so helpful and I just feel because they are helping, not just my family out, but many others that I should do something to give back to them."

"Whenever you're feeling a bit down or upset about what is going on you can pop down there and they will always have time for you. They will give you as much advice as they can and also talk to you about the situation and make you feel more comfortable and relaxed. I just want them to be able to help out many more families in the future who are in the same situation as we are, that’s why I’m raising money for them."

His mum Paula Van Katwyk is very proud of her son adding: "A few days after Paul was diagnosed with cancer I explained to Alex that he would need two or three courses of chemotherapy, and would probably lose his hair.  His immediate response was that he would shave his hair to support dad, and also to raise money for a cancer charity.  I asked him if he was sure and he replied 100%."

Mrs Van Katwyk said that Macmillan were very helpful: "Whilst Alex and I were visiting Paul in Southampton I took him to the Macmillan centre to show him around and they helped Alex set up his fund raising page.  Its a lovely place to go to to get away from the busy hospital if you need time out or talk to someone outside of the family.  Both myself and Paul are extremely proud of Alex for doing this of his own back.  Paul told the nursing staff on the ward and they said what a great idea and a lovely thing to do to support his dad.  Alex’s two older sisters have been promoting his charitable endeavour and are proud of him."

"We have also received help and support from the local cancer charity and Alex and his two sisters would like to able to give something back to them too." 

Express asked Alex if he was worried about how he may look after the head shave. He said: "No I’m not worried at all about what people will think. I know I’m going to end up looking a lot different and strange, but it’s all part of it!."

Alex just giving page can be found here.

Pictured: Alex Van Katwyk