How Kate Middleton Supported Cancer Patients Before Her Own Diagnosis, From Hospital Visits to Donating Hair

The Princess of Wales is currently undergoing chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis.

Kate Middleton has long supported cancer patients. Years before the Princess of Wales was diagnosed with cancer, she made it a point to support those battling the disease in her work as a member of the royal family.

In 2011, Kate and her husband, Prince William, opened Oak Center for Children and Young People, a children's cancer unit at South London's Royal Marsden.

Afterward, Kate penned a thoughtful letter to 9-year-old Fabian Bate, a boy she met during her visit. In her note, Kate praised Fabian's "strength of character" and assured him that he "couldn't be in better hands" amid his battle. 

The letter meant a lot to Fabian and his family, as they told The Evening Standard, "We were very touched as she must do a lot of this stuff and to remember Fabian is very moving."

Then, in 2018, Sunday Express reported that, after cutting seven inches off of her hair, Kate donated her locks to Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs for children battling cancer.

"It's lovely to think that somebody, somewhere -- probably more than one person -- has received a wig containing Princess Kate's hair," Helen Creese, a spokesperson for the charity, told People at the time. "It's a really lovely thought and it's fantastic for raising awareness, plus it's gorgeous hair -- we all lust after that hair!"

Two years later, Kate delighted Mila Sneddon, a young cancer patient, when she donned a pink dress to meet her. The outfit was in keeping with a promise that the princess made to Mila during a phone call the year prior, in which Kate told the girl she'd wear a pink dress when they got the chance to meet in person.

Then, when Kate, who serves as the Royal Patron of East Anglia Children's Hospicesannounced her own cancer diagnosis on March 22, she made sure to acknowledge all of those who are also battling the disease.

"At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer," she said in her video announcement. "For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."

RELATED CONTENT: