This article was originally written by Isobel Williams for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
An 11-year-old named Kirsty Waugh is on a unique mission. She’s tracking down every other Kirsty in the world. And she’s doing it for a good cause — to raise money and awareness for people with brain tumors.
Kirsty, who herself was diagnosed with a brain tumor in November 2024, created an online map in an attempt to get everyone with her name (and those who spell it “Kirstie”) to add their photo and location to it. The site also directs visitors to her fundraiser for brain tumor research, with proceeds benefiting OSCAR’s Pediatric Brain Tumor Charity, an organization that previously sent sibling care packages to Kirsty’s older sisters.
“It was really as a means of saying to Kirsty that she is not alone. Chemo can seem a pretty lonely journey, especially if you are a child,” her dad, Mat Waugh, told SWNS. “Essentially what we are trying to do is get all the Kirstys that we can … to join her map on the website. We wanted to show a sense of connectedness and that people do care about her. Getting together on a map seemed like the best way for people to show support.”
The preteen from Tunbridge Wells, England, first noticed symptoms around September 2024, when she began having trouble with her eyesight that opticians couldn’t address with lenses. Two months later, she was rushed to the hospital after she started vomiting, and was ultimately diagnosed with a brain tumor. “It was a bombshell day. It is like something has flattened everything you know and believe in,” Mat recalled. “I was absolutely devastated.”
Throughout her diagnosis, she’s remained positive, even naming her tumor after her favorite Brooklyn Nine-Nine character, Terry. Kirsty’s also completed several fundraisers for kids with cancer, including raising more than $158,860 for Children With Cancer UK as part of her Crochet for Cancer campaign.
After having surgery, Kirsty made decorative banners for each of her initial 70 weeks of chemotherapy. But when another 85 weeks were added to her treatment plan, she decided to reorient her mission. “She still loves to crochet and crochets every day, but … we needed a change,” Mat said. The Waugh family had often talked about how the name Kirsty had become increasingly rare, as they hadn’t known anyone who shared it. But when they met Kirsty Gilmour at the All England Open Championships last month, the idea for a map was born, and the badminton star became the first member to add her name.
As of April 6, the fundraiser hit $5,690 and 336 total names have joined — mostly in the U.K., but there are also participants in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Malaysia, and the U.S. And the map’s entries are particularly impressive considering how rare the name is: In the U.S., for example, there are likely only 945 Kirstys, according to the website How Many of Me.Â
“It’s so cool to collect all these Kirstys, no matter where they are, to have their support and to raise as much money as I can,” Kirsty said. “I love checking the map and seeing people pop up with messages and support, even if they’re not called Kirsty! It makes me so happy to see how many people there are out there who care. I want everyone to know more about brain tumors and what we can do to make treatment better.”
Down the line, the family dreams of getting all the Kirstys together in person, to beat the world record of 2,300 people with the same name gathered.
“She loves it. She spends her evenings exploring the map and looking at the messages. Most of all, she just likes seeing what people have said,” Mat said. “You can’t really put a price on support like that, which makes her feel less alone. Imagine a stadium full of Kirstys supporting children with cancer. I think we can call that a stretch goal.”
Just like her dad, OSCAR’s is impressed by Kirsty’s efforts, and the nonprofit is grateful for the support. “Treatments for children’s brain tumors are underfunded, outdated, harsh, and damaging. Kirsty’s quest to raise money to make treatments kinder and more effective for other children is very much needed,” a spokesperson said. “She is an amazing girl who we are proud to support through her treatment, and proud to work alongside as she fundraises.”
Click here to explore the map and here to donate to Kirsty’s fundraiser.
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