22-05-2025
Couple who are both battling cancer are given heartbreaking news that one of them is terminally ill
A couple who are both battling cancer are now trying to make memories together while they can after one of them was told they are terminally ill.
Sarah Hughes, 43, and her partner of 13 years Paul Crook, 47, were diagnosed with the disease within weeks of each other earlier this year.
The mother-of-two from Runcorn, Cheshire, first went to the GP after suffering from what doctors initially thought was a viral infection.
However, a later scan revealed that Sarah had secondary breast cancer that had spread to her bones and was now incurable.
The 43-year-old was previously diagnosed with the disease in March 2020 but after a mastectomy and various rounds of treatment she was given the all-clear a year later.
To add to the family's nightmare, Sarah's partner Paul was also told he had tonsil cancer at the start of 2025.
The father-of-five found a lump in his neck just after Christmas and was given antibiotics from the GP, who also thought he had an infection.
However, he was subsequently diagnosed with a tumour on his tonsils after the mass did not go down with the prescribed treatment.
Paul, who is expected to make a full recovery, is due to have an operation in June to remove the cancer and then undergo radiotherapy.
Kristy Boyce, 46, who has known Sarah since they were at school, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the couple to make memories together while they can.
She told The Liverpool Echo: 'It's so heartbreaking for them both having to go through this.
'It's been a really bad strap for them, trying just trying to get through it as best as they can, they're both strong people and are keeping as positive as they can for each other.'
Breaking into tears about Sarah's diagnosis, Kristy added: 'It has been devastating to find out she has been diagnosed with cancer again. We have loads of memories over the years, we've done so much together.'
Kristy said she hoped to raise enough money for Sarah and Paul to go on a trip to New York.
She wrote on the GoFundMe page: 'Sarah has been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer after being cancer free for five years.
'It has spread to her bones and cannot be cured, the only thing they can do is to start treatment to help prolong her life.
'Very sadly Paul is also fighting his own cancer battle as he has been diagnosed with tonsil cancer and needs an operation to remove it and then further treatment.
'Sarah has started to compile a bucket list and would love to go to New York before she becomes to ill.
'Obviously they are both going to be off work so this is where we come in!!! We would love to be able to raise enough money to get them to New York and any other little trips they want to do to make some precious memories!'
