These words, spoken by Tiffany, a mum of three from Sidcup, have stuck with her best friend, Jade Mayling.
Inspired by Tiff’s incredible strength, Jade is taking on the challenge of running the London Marathon to raise money and support her through the toughest battle of her life – breast cancer.
Jade told the News Shopper: “Tiff has always been the most amazing friend – she’s put everybody else first.
“We had our babies at similar times, so our children are really close in age, and we’ve been through everything together.”
Jade and Tiffany (Image: Jade Mayling)
Tiff was first diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 2021 and soon endured a mastectomy and radiotherapy, determined to fight the disease.
But in a cruel twist of fate, the cancer returned while she was pregnant with her third child, Vinny.
Now, she is undergoing her 32nd round of chemotherapy and will remain on treatment indefinitely.
Jade added: “Even when the bad news kept coming, she was like, ‘no, this isn’t going to happen, I’m not going to accept it, and I will keep fighting.’
“And that’s what she’s done.”
After months of uncertainty, there was finally some good news – a scan on March 20 showed that her latest round of chemotherapy is working, with signs of cancer cells becoming dormant.
“I’m just so relieved for her,” Jade said. “It’s been 18 months of hell for her, really.”
Jade and Tiff are part of a tight-knit group of eight friends, who have supported Tiff day-to-day through her treatment.
“We’ve been best friends since Year Seven – the girls have been her rock throughout this all. Tiff is the light of our lives”, Jade added.
Determined to do something meaningful, Jade decided to take on the London Marathon to raise money for Tiff, helping to ease any financial burdens so she can focus on her health and family.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here
Jade, who ran the marathon once before ten years ago, had entered the ballot almost every year since.
Jade admitted: “I haven’t run further than 5K, so I thought it would be a challenge,” she admitted.
“And then Tiff got the news in September that she was stage four, and it rocked the boat again.
“I didn’t want to make a false promise, but I got my head down and trained.
“I’m the lucky one that I’m healthy enough to run it.
“No one gives you a medal for chemotherapy, for everything she’s been through.
“It’s all for her, and I just want her to know what an inspiration she’s been to me.”
For Tiff, the support has been life changing.
Tiff told the News Shopper: “I started chemotherapy when I was pregnant, and we kept it at bay.
“In September last year, I started a new type of chemotherapy, and I’ve had some reduction.
“My friend started a GoFundMe, which made it possible for me to get complementary therapy and sessions to help with the lymphedema in my arms.”
Reflecting on her bond with Jade and their friends, Tiff added, “Me and Jade have been friends for years – we’ve grown up together and were always so lucky to have a close group like us girls.”
So far, Jade’s fundraising campaign has raised more than £800, with a target of £1,500.
Every penny will go towards making Tiff’s journey a little easier, helping her focus on what truly matters – her health and her family.
