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Charity gifts Herne Bay mum Tiffany Dean one last family holiday after terminal cancer diagnosis

A mum-of-three diagnosed with terminal cancer has been given the chance to enjoy a last holiday with her family.

Tiffany Dean, 27, received her devastating diagnosis after she was found to have unusually high calcium levels, and asked to visit the QEQM hospital in Margate a few days before Christmas.

Tiffany with her three children Chloe, Jacob and Henry. Picture: Sean Dean
Tiffany with her three children Chloe, Jacob and Henry. Picture: Sean Dean

Scans soon revealed a mass in her liver, which doctors confirmed is inoperable cholangiocarcinoma - a cancer of the bile duct.

Tiffany - a former Community College Whitstable pupil who grew up living in Herne Bay, Whitstable and Canterbury - was soon told she has between a few months and a year to live.

Her husband Sean, 32, described the couple’s struggle to come to terms with the tragic news. “There’s a sense of loss already,” he said.

“My heart’s already broken. I feel like I’m losing a part of myself.”

The couple, who live in Queens Gardens in Herne Bay, have three children together: Henry, seven; Chloe, six; and Jacob, 16 months.

Tiffany and Sean Dean on their wedding day. Picture: Sean Dean
Tiffany and Sean Dean on their wedding day. Picture: Sean Dean

After receiving her diagnosis, Tiffany made a list of things she would like to do with her remaining time.

This included arranging lasting keepsakes for her children - such as gifts to store away for their future birthdays and weddings - along with having professional photos taken of the family, and taking Jacob on his first holiday.

Moved by the mum’s heartbreaking story, charity The Kent Wish Foundation has now stepped in to send the whole family away on a short UK break, so they can spend some quality time together on holiday one last time.

Delighted by the gesture, Sean said: “Being given the chance for Tiffany to go on her first holiday with Jacob and her last holiday with us all will give her that little bit more peace of mind, that she has crossed another thing off her so-called bucket list.

“I know to some it’s just a holiday but when you only have a little time left it makes a massive difference and we would love to thank all those that made it possible.”

Tiffany and Sean Dean on their wedding day. Picture: Sean Dean
Tiffany and Sean Dean on their wedding day. Picture: Sean Dean

Dominic Comins, chair of trustees at the Kent Wish Foundation, added: “Everyone at the foundation was touched by Tiff’s situation and we are so pleased to be able to provide something that the whole family will remember forever.

“We hope that Tiff, Sean, Chloe, Jacob and Henry make some incredible memories and enjoy a fabulous trip together as a family.”

Tiffany’s friends have launched a fundraiser, to help make sure she can achieve as many of her goals as possible, and to help the family with funeral costs.

To donate, visit the Gofundme page.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay

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