Wycombe boy fighting cancer shaves head with best friend

Kaiden Edwards, age 7, from Flackwell Heath found out he had a brain tumour on Thursday, June 23, after experiencing head pain, nausea, sickness and double vision in November 2021.

Kaiden had an operation to remove the tumour on Monday, June 27 when a biopsy came back as grade 4 medulloblastoma. 

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This has now resulted in him needing proton beam therapy and chemotherapy.

Kaiden with his beads of courage. Each bead represents a procedure, medication or challenge that he has faced from the start.

His mum Kathryn said: "I took him to the doctors in November, and it went from there, but I would probably just reiterate that if parents are concerned then to talk these concerns through with their doctor. 

"He’s just had a round of holding chemo before he starts six weeks of proton therapy in September, and then he will have chemo treatment again for 36 weeks."

Kaiden had long curly hair and in preparation for proton beam therapy and the impending hair loss he had his hair cut off.

His best friend Harlem, also seven, decided to cut his hair off too to show his support.

Kathryn, who is a teacher herself, said: "His beautiful friend Harlem then asked his mummy if he could also cut his hair off so that him and Kaiden can grow their hair back together once Kaiden's treatment has finished. It’s been extremely tough, but Kaiden has been amazing and is so positive."

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Harlem's mum Daniella cried tears of happiness when she found out her son wanted to cut his hair in support of Kaiden.

She said: "Kaiden has been so positive and doesn’t stop smiling. He has been so incredibly brave.

"Since the boys were born they would attend family parties together. They then started the same school in 2019.

Harlem before his hair cut

"I was showing Harlem pictures of Kaiden when he cut his hair off and he was curious to why so I explained and that’s when he said to me “I want to cut mine off with him so we can grow it back together when he is all better, do you think that will make him happy?”. Of course I cried my eyes out I’m am incredibly proud of how selfless he has been as Harlem has taken so much pride in growing his hair and absolutely loved it."

The family want to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of brain tumours in children and how positive their little boy has been.

Kaiden's mum Kathryn said: "For us documenting his journey will hopefully help other families if they ever have to go through the same, you hear about childhood cancer but you never expect it to happen to your own child. 

"The website headsmart.org.uk is great for warning signs of brain tumours."