Kat Watson-Wood survived cancer as a four-year-old child. Now, 31 years later, she will be skydiving for the Christie Charity - and she's still in touch with the radiographer who treated her

Kat Watson-Wood, a 35-year-old IT professional from Rochdale, is still in touch with the 91-year-old radiographer who treated her for a brain tumour at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust over 30 years ago - and is skydiving for the Christie Charity later this year. 

Kat, who trained as a nurse, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1992, two days after her fourth birthday. Her parents went to see the doctor after noticing that she was getting headaches and wasn’t able to walk in a straight line.

They were referred to their local hospital where doctors found a tangerine-sized tumour at the base of her brain.

She had an operation to remove it before being referred to The Christie for radiotherapy.

It was at the specialist cancer hospital that she met Margery, a radiographer who worked at the hospital between 1965 and 1993. Kat’s parents, and later Kat herself, have kept in touch with her ever since, sending Christmas cards and letters. Margery also kept in touch, sending Kat cards on her birthday.

Kat doesn’t remember much about her treatment, but she remembers Margery and the way she made her feel.

Kat’s mum and dad, Dave and Liz, are also clear about Margery's impact on them. “To be told that your toddler has cancer is just horrendous. Margery wasn’t just brilliant with Kat, she was also great with us,” comments Liz. “She made a really difficult time that much easier and brought warmth and light to our lives. We started by sending her one Christmas card, and here we are 30 years later, still in touch.”

Kat’s treatment was successful, and she still attends The Christie every year for a check-up. She lives with some side effects including weakness, some memory loss and poor balance control and mobility. As a result, she now walks with a crutch or uses a wheelchair. 

 

 

“I’m proud of who I am,” said Kat. “I’m involved with the disability network at work; that’s something that’s very important to me. I’m sharing my story to show other people with disabilities and cancer patients that there’s power and strength in just being yourself no matter what life throws at you.”

It’s this drive that has led Kat to become involved in research into the side effects of childhood cancer and radiotherapy later in life.

She added: "On Saturday 18 May, I've decided to face one of my biggest fears and jump out of a plane in order to give back for the ongoing and continuing care I've had from the amazing team at The Christie. I'd love for people to support me by donating to this amazing cause who have saved many lives including my own.”

Donations can be made at Kat Watson-Wood is fundraising for THE CHRISTIE CHARITY (justgiving.com)