Tom Youngs and his wife Tiffany say they have been overwhelmed by the strength of support during her battle with serious illness after learning that she is now “in remission”.
In May 2017, after a three-year battle with cancer, Tiffany received the devastating news that the illness would be terminal. Twelve months on, the news is much more positive and specialists have confirmed that she is in remission after a remarkable year.
“It’s unbelievably good news compared with where we were this time last year,” said Tom, the Leicester Tigers club captain.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support during the last year. It has been absolutely phenomenal.
“At the Tigers, from chairman Peter Tom right through the club, everyone has been superb with us. And outside the club too, everybody has tried to help in their own way.
“It has definitely been a great support knowing so many people have been there for us.”
Tiffany has continued with a course of alternative treatments and diet changes as she battled through the illness, and says the positive support has played a huge part in her fight.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and the kind gestures from everywhere,” she said.
“Our families and close friends have been at the centre of that, but also the messages and support from all around rugby have been huge – and not just from when we first told everyone last year, it has gone on all the time. Everyone has been so kind.
“To now be in remission is brilliant news and now we’re just looking forward again.”
During last summer, Tom’s brother Ben withdrew from the squad for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand after learning of the extent of Tiffany’s illness to allow the families to spend more time together. Following the more positive news this summer, he will go to South Africa with the England squad for their tour later this month with Tom’s blessing.
“We are a very close family and the Lions were very understanding when Ben made his decision last summer,” Tom said. “We wish him and all of the England squad all the very best in a big series in South Africa next month.”
