Katy Wymant Katy Wymant, the Orangeville girl whose fight to overcome cancer ignited the compassion of a county, died in Scotland last week at the age of five.

Katy was visiting relatives in Scotland last summer when doctors at Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Sick Children diagnosed her as having a brain tumor and high grade glioma, a form of cancer that gives its victims an average life expectancy of just nine months after diagnosis.

While innovative treatment by Scottish doctors was meeting with a degree of success, Laurence Wymant said a July 1 MRI revealed that her tumor was active. Over the next two weeks, he said, her condition deteriorated rapidly.

Exactly one year from the date of being diagnosed, Katy passed away quietly at home in her mother's arms, squeezing her father's hands with the rest of her family around her.

"Katy touched and united many people all over the world," said Mr. Wymant.

"She was such an inspiration made us very, very proud.

"We are heartbroken by the loss of such a wonderful child, but are comforted knowing that she is now a very special angel."

During the year-long ordeal, residents of Orangeville and throughout Dufferin County raised thousands of dollars to ensure the Wymants kept their home on Morgandale Crescent after having to relocate to Scotland because Katy was too ill to travel back to Canada.

Mr. Wymant had a message for the people who rallied to help: "Thank you for all of the love and support we have received throughout the year."

Tracy Kohut, a neighbour of the Wymants who helped administer the fund where donations could be sent, recalled, in an interview, that "the whole response was just phenomenal. I've lived in Orangeville all my life, but it was still incredible to see."

She flew to Scotland the first week in July to be with the Wymants. "I was hoping (Katy's passing) would not happen so quickly, but there's comfort in knowing she didn't suffer."

There were numerous fundraisers for the Wymants, including kids who sold lemonade, baseball and poker tournaments, the $5,000 raised in a single day when Boston Pizza donated 15 per cent of its gross sales, and an outdoor screening of the movie Iron Man.

The latter was staged by Blockbuster Video on Broadway.

Store manager Chris Hooper said he had mixed emotions when he heard of Katy's death.

"To be honest, I was sad but angry at the same time," said Mr. Hooper, a father of three. "I was angry that someone so small and innocent could be taken like this. I was with my kids when I heard and I kept thinking what I would do if something like this happened to my family."

As for the memory of Katy, Mr. Hooper said, "Our town will never forget her."

Katy's funeral was held yesterday (Wednesday) in Glasgow and there will be a memorial service when the family returns home to Orangeville in August.

Katy is survived by her parents, brothers Matthew and Alexander and halfsister Lauren.

In lieu of flowers, the Wymants ask for donations to the charity that "gave Katy so much happiness this past year," www. thekieranmessfoundation. org.