“Taylor’s hats” warm the heads (and hearts) of leukemia patients and staff at Westmead Hospital

On 27 December 2020, Barbie and Wayne McCann’s son Taylor lost his life to cancer after a six-month fight with acute myeloid leukemia at just 30 years of age.

As a form of therapy, Taylor’s mum Barbie began knitting hats for other leukemia patients, and then also for staff and patients in other wards.

The hats come in many sizes to cater for babies up to adults.

I knit the hats not only for therapy but also to let the patients and families know that somebody cares,” said Barbie.

As a thank you to the chemotherapy ward at Westmead Hospital, Barbie recently sent a touching letter along with a package of hats in “appreciation of the help you gave our beautiful boy”.

“To the chemo ward at Westmead Hospital,
We lost our beautiful son Taylor to leukemia (acute myeloid),
Taylor was in your ICU when he transitioned – (the staff) were all brilliant.
Our son is Taylor McCann.
Please accept these hats as a thank you.
We appreciate the help you gave our beautiful boy.
Love Barbie (and Wayne) McCann.“

“After Taylor transitioned we never got to thank the staff of ICU and everybody for the care that they gave Taylor, so this is a heartfelt thank you to everyone,” said Barbie.

“I will continue to knit “Taylor’s hats” and shall deliver some when we are next in Sydney.”

“We are very grateful for the handmade hats that have arrived just in time for these very cool winter days and nights,” said nursing unit manager Tito Jimenez.

“We donated the small hats to Westmead Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – they will be perfect for the premature babies.

“We thank Barbie and Wayne for this touching gift.”