25 cm in Honor of Simon
Cancer, Loss and a Strong Big Sister
Just before Christmas 2019, my 12-year-old daughter Katrine decided to have her hair cut and donate it. For as long as I can remember, she had hair down to her waist. It was her trademark. In fact, her hair could never be too long, and every time she needed a trim, we had to negotiate how much of the ends should be cut off.
So when she came to me and said that she wanted to cut it and donate it for wigs, I knew it was something she had thought about carefully. The reason is very special.
Katrine’s little brother Simon was 8½ years old when he was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2017. Katrine was 10 at the time. It came as a huge shock and changed our lives in a split second.
When Simon was told that he would most likely lose his hair as a result of chemotherapy, he was close to tears. Like Katrine, he loved his hair. All the men in the family shaved their heads in support of Simon, and I also offered to shave mine off. Katrine did not want to cut her hair. Simon completely understood, because he knew what her hair meant to her.
It didn’t take many days after Simon’s first chemotherapy treatment before his hair fell out. From that moment on, he never stepped outside without a cap. He felt bare and exposed without his hair and was very aware that he stood out. The cap became something he could hide under. Only close family and a few of his best friends were allowed to see him without it.
After 1½ years of a hard and intensive fight, Simon sadly lost his battle with cancer. He passed away on January 11, 2019 — of all days, on his 10th birthday.
The Grief of Losing Simon
The loss and grief after Simon are, of course, enormous. We have lost our son, and Katrine has lost her little brother and oldest friend. We each cope with and process the grief differently, and for Katrine it was important to do something that could show Simon how much she loved him. And what more beautiful way to do that than to cut the hair she loves and donate it for wigs, bringing benefit and joy to, among others, people going through chemotherapy.
The 25 cm that Katrine had cut off her hair that day in December is her way of honoring Simon. And I do not doubt for a second that Simon is watching from above and is incredibly proud of his sister!
We are deeply grateful that we are allowed to share your story. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Note: The requirements for hair donation have increased to 30 cm.
