Couple Battling Cancer Together Receives Heartbreaking Terminal Diagnosis
A pair dealing with
cancer
are now attempting to create lasting memories together while they still can, following news that one of them has been diagnosed as terminally ill.
Sarah Hughes, aged 43, along with her companion of 13 years, Paul Crook, who is 47, both received diagnoses of the illness within months of one another earlier this year.
The woman from Runcorn, Cheshire, who has two children, initially visited her doctor thinking she had a viral infection.
Later scans showed that Sarah had developed secondary breast cancer which had metastasized to her bones and was unfortunately untreatable.
The individual, aged 43, had been diagnosed with the condition back in March 2020. However, following a mastectomy and several courses of treatment, they were informed that they were cancer-free about twelve months afterward.
Adding to the family’s torment, Sarah’s spouse Paul learned early in 2025 that he too was battling tonsil cancer.
The man, who has five children, discovered a lump in his neck shortly after Christmas and received antibiotics prescribed by his general practitioner. The doctor suspected that he had an infection.
Nevertheless, he later received a diagnosis of a tumor on his tonsils when the lump did not subside despite the administered treatment.
Paul, anticipated to fully recover, is scheduled for surgery in June to excise the cancer followed by radiation therapy.
Kristy Boyce, aged 46, who has been acquainted with Sarah since their school days, has established a
GoFundMe page
to fundraise for the pair to create lasting memories while they still can.
She told
The Liverpool Echo
It’s incredibly sad for them both having to endure this.
‘They’ve had quite a difficult time recently, struggling to make their way through it as best they can. They are both resilient individuals who are staying as optimistic as possible for one another.’
Crying uncontrollably over Sarah’s diagnosis, Kristy commented, “Learning that she has cancer again was utterly heartbreaking. Over the years, we’ve created countless memories and shared many experiences.”
Kristy mentioned that her aim was to gather sufficient funds for Sarah and Paul so they could take a trip to New York.
She wrote on the
GoFundMe page
Sarah was recently found to have developed secondary breast cancer, having been cancer-free for half a decade.
The condition has reached her bones and is incurable; the doctors can only initiate treatments aimed at extending her lifespan.
Sadly, Paul is also battling cancer after being diagnosed with tonsil cancer. He requires surgery to remove it followed by additional treatments.
Sarah has begun making a bucket list and dreams of visiting New York before her health declines further.
Clearly, they will both need time away from work, which gives us an opportunity! We’d really like to gather enough funds to send them to New York and perhaps cover any additional small trips they wish to take, helping create some cherished memories!