Couple Battling Cancer Together Receives Heartbreaking Terminal Diagnosis

A pair dealing with cancer are now trying to make memories together while they can after one of them was told they are terminally ill.

Sarah Hughes, aged 43, along with her companion of 13 years, Paul Crook, who is 47, received diagnoses for the same illness just weeks apart earlier this year.

The woman from Runcorn, Cheshire, who has two children, initially visited her doctor thinking she had 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 individual, aged 43, had been identified as having the illness back in March 2020. However, following a mastectomy and several cycles of therapy, they were declared cancer-free about twelve months afterward.

Adding to the family’s torment, Sarah’s companion Paul learned at the beginning of 2025 that he too had tonsil cancer.

The man with five children discovered a bump in his neck right after Christmas and received antibiotics from his doctor, who believed it could be due to an infection.

Nonetheless, he later received a diagnosis of a growth on his tonsils when the lump did not subside following the administered therapy.

Paul, anticipated to fully recover, has surgery scheduled for June to excise the cancer followed by radiation therapy sessions.

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 so heartbreaking for them both having to go through this.

'It has truly been a tough period for them, struggling to make their way through it as best as possible. They are both resilient individuals and are maintaining a hopeful outlook for one another.'

Crying uncontrollably over Sarah's diagnosis, Kristy commented, "Finding out she has cancer again was utterly heartbreaking. Over the years, we've created countless memories and shared numerous experiences."

Kristy mentioned she was aiming to collect sufficient funds for Sarah and Paul so they could take a trip to New York.

She wrote on the GoFundMe page 'Sarah has received a diagnosis of 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.

Unfortunately, Paul is also facing his own battle against 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.

'Definitely, they will both take time off from work, which means it’s our turn to step up! We’d really like to gather enough funds to send them to New York and maybe cover some additional small trips for those special moments.'

Read more