Story of inspirational wig recipient 'shows need to hold on to hope'

A new book released next month shines a light on the inspiring story of one little girl who received a wig from The Little Princess Trust.

Leah Bennett, pictured above, was just six years old when she was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer.

Her treatment included a daring new operation using 3D printing to remove a tumour - and she is believed to be the first child to survive from such a diagnosis.

Leah is now happy and healthy, and her father Stephen has written In Her Best Interests to give others ‘the need to hold on to hope through the toughest of times’.

The book highlights the importance of the wide network of support available – and this includes The Little Princess Trust.

Stephen explains that, during Leah’s treatment, a family wedding was one of their few points of light and they dearly wanted to attend and make sure Leah enjoyed the day.

However, Leah was ‘understandably worried about how she would look without hair’, especially knowing photographs would be taken.

 

The family contacted The Little Princess Trust, and an appointment was soon scheduled for Leah to see one of our wig fitters not far from her home on Merseyside.

Stephen said that on arriving at the salon, the wig stylist ‘made a huge fuss of Leah’.

“Leah tried on a few different wigs to get as close to her natural hair as possible,” he added.

“Leah is having fun swishing the hair round and posing in the mirror. Eventually we agree the right size and the best match we can get on the colour.

“It is another day of fighting back emotion for me. This little girl is six years old. She shouldn’t have to need a wig just so that she feels comfortable at her aunt’s wedding.

“She shouldn’t have to go through these experiences at all. But she does, and she does them all with a smile on her face and a determination that never fails to make me proud.”

Hair loss is just one of the many subjects highlighted in the book Stephen described as what ‘he needed to read himself while living through the experience’.

“I think the book is essential reading for anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis for themselves or someone close to them, or for anyone working in the healthcare sector who wants to better understand the challenges experienced by families and individuals under their care,” he said.

“A book that would have given me the hope I so desperately sought, knowing that the survival of my daughter was possible.”

In Her Best Interests is due to be published on May 28 and can be ordered by clicking here.