Jack and Rose had us crying our eyes out in Titanic, and now they’ve got us balling again. This time, for an incredible act of kindness that helped save a young woman’s life — and may also help save many other lives in the future.
Gemma Nuttall, a 28-year-old dental nurse from England, was in the first few months of her pregnancy when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She wasn’t willing to terminate the life of her unborn baby, so she refused treatment.
After her daughter Penelope was born, doctors gave Nuttall just 6 to 12 months to live.
Months of chemotherapy later, Nuttall was able to defeat the ovarian cancer, only to be diagnosed with multiple brain tumors soon after.
Nuttall told the British TV show This Morning that this is when she found a “wonder clinic” in Germany that might be able to help her. However, the treatment would cost her up to $98,000 per session, which is something she couldn’t afford. So she turned to crowdfunding and set up a GoFundMe page.
“Kate Winslet saved my life”
Meanwhile, actress Kate Winslet was researching the same clinics in Germany after her mother Sally died of ovarian cancer. By chance, she happened upon Nuttall’s GoFundMe page and saw that it was way off its goal.
“I just thought, ‘I can’t have this happen,’” Winslet said on This Morning (via People). “My own mother was very, very unwell, and I just thought my mum would be incredibly proud if I could do this for somebody else, for another young mum.”
Winslet’s help boosted the crowdfunding campaign, but it wasn’t enough. She needed Jack.
Leonardo DiCaprio gets involved
“It was just amazing,” Winslet said. “We got close to £200,000 ($280,000) and at that point I thought, ‘Right, it’s time to call my friend Leo’."
She called up Leonardo DiCaprio and suggested co-hosting a charity dinner. He had an even better idea: auctioning off a dinner with Jack and Rose at a fundraiser for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in St. Tropez.
The auction brought in a total of $1.35 million, which was split between the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, a wildlife protection fund, and Nuttall’s campaign.
The treatments worked and Nuttall beat the brain cancer.
“I just want to say thank you so much for all your hard work and for me being able to have my treatment that I really did need," Nuttall said on the TV show.
Winslet told This Morning that she felt incredibly blessed she was able to help and called Nuttall's recovery a miracle:
“So, so much good has come out of this remarkable moment. I mean look at Gemma. Look at her. She is so beautiful. She is alive. She is cancer-free. It is utterly incredible. I feel so blessed that I could help."
Winslet teams up with a new partner to help cancer patients
Due to the successful fundraiser, Winslet raised more money than was needed for Nuttall’s treatments. So, she decided to open up a fund to treat other people suffering from cancer. However, instead of working with her friend DiCaprio, she found herself a new teammate: Nuttall herself, who will be running the new foundation to help other women in her situation.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.