Telethon 2025: Hearts break as Chris Brown reads letter from mum whose teen daughter lost her brave battle
Proud mum Jo Wagner has paid tribute to her brave daughter Kate in a heartfelt letter to TV vet Chris Brown. telethon.
Kate, 16, died of a stroke in July after spending 18 months in Perth Children’s Hospital, where she endured nearly 30 surgeries and nearly 100 scans.
Ms Wagner said a visit from Dr Chris and his therapy dog Murphy a few weeks before she died brought “joy and light” into Kate’s life at a very difficult time.
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“Kate had received devastating medical intervention, was in severe pain and unable to stand up, but when you walked in with Murphy, her face lit up with the biggest smile we’d seen in weeks,” he wrote.
“You made her feel special, important and seen – not just as a patient, but as a friend. It was pure joy that day for Kate, and for all of us, to see that genuine smile and see the spark in her eyes.”
Ms. Wagner said Kate’s illness had been a heartbreaking journey, but there were moments of hope and magic thanks to the support of PCH staff and Telethon.
“The medical teams of doctors, nurses, teachers and volunteers became our family,” he wrote. “They not only provided medical care; they gave Kate fun, kindness, love, and most importantly, the strength to survive and thrive during incredibly difficult times.
“From braiding her hair and sneaking Yochi and Uno out for a walk, to attending the Year 11 dinner dance and making sure she looked beautiful, they made the impossible possible.”
PCH staff honored Kate’s wish to go to the Year 11 dance a month before she died. They arranged her clothes, hair and make-up and allowed her to leave the hospital for a few hours.
Ms Wagner told The Sunday Times: “It was surprising they took her out. Not only that, she felt like a real princess, just like a normal 16-year-old should.”
Kate had a brain defect called Chiari malformation and had surgery for it, but unfortunately suffered numerous complications and infections afterwards, including meningitis.
During his long stay in the hospital, he won the hearts of the hospital staff, other patients and their families with his caring and positive nature.
“It seemed like he touched a lot of people and gave a lot of strength to a lot of people,” Ms. Wagner said. “I don’t understand how he did it because he was probably the sickest person around.”
