Story
When you come from a small village like Denmead, everyone knows everyone! Beth's story is one that feels very close to home. My boys are of a similar age and knew Beth and through family gatherings, our paths would cross.
From talking to a close family friend of the Tiller's, I learnt that Dave, Beth's Dad's biggest fear was that Beth would be forgotten. Through us, Team Bethany Tiller, we are here to ensure that this does not happen and through this charity, her name becomes a part of our history. I say 'our', because all you newbies, are now part of us.
Bethany was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in December 2016 and underwent 6 months of intense chemotherapy and in March of 2017, was told that her cancer had gone. But a short time later, when Bethany started feeling ill again, a scan revealed that the cancer had returned. It was then the search started for a Bone Marrow donor and although a match was found and Bethany underwent the operation, the cancer returned again, only this time, more aggressively.
It was at this point that Doctors suggested more chemotherapy but Bethany refused and chose to be at home and live her life out of hospital like a normal teenager.
The strength and stubbornness that she fought this disease with had everyone in awe of her. Friends, family and even doctors who thought she may only have a few weeks left back in November of last year. She was such a strong, inspirational fighter who never gave up.
On Thursday April 26th of this year, aged just 16, Bethany Susie Tiller passed away peacefully.
But the illness is not what defined her. From an early age, Beth loved to dance and was a member of the Southern Arts Academy. Beth loved music with Bruno Mars at the top of any playlist. As well as dance and music, Beth loved her football and was a passionate Pompey fan along with her Dad.
Beth had a great sense of humour and cheeky personality. She loved hanging out with her close knit group of friends, known to them as Tiller. Beth never let her illness define who she was. The strength and stubbornness that she bravely fought with had everyone in awe of her and her amazing smile and infectious personality are always the things people mention when talking about her.
Her Dad Dave, couldn't make picking night to speak. Understandably, it is still a little too raw for him but I asked him if he wanted to say anything to you guys. This is his message:
Hi all. Myself, my wife Claire and daughter Lottie are looking forward to showing our support for Beth's team on the days of their matches. If you show as much fighting spirit in your games as Beth showed during her ordeal, then you won't go far wrong.
Nobody can give more than their all and that was what we asked of Beth, to keep fighting her disease with everything she had.
It took alot of things from her, but she never once lost that winning smile or her heart.
From talking to a close family friend of the Tiller's, I learnt that Dave, Beth's Dad's biggest fear was that Beth would be forgotten. Through us, Team Bethany Tiller, we are here to ensure that this does not happen and through this charity, her name becomes a part of our history. I say 'our', because all you newbies, are now part of us.
Bethany was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in December 2016 and underwent 6 months of intense chemotherapy and in March of 2017, was told that her cancer had gone. But a short time later, when Bethany started feeling ill again, a scan revealed that the cancer had returned. It was then the search started for a Bone Marrow donor and although a match was found and Bethany underwent the operation, the cancer returned again, only this time, more aggressively.
It was at this point that Doctors suggested more chemotherapy but Bethany refused and chose to be at home and live her life out of hospital like a normal teenager.
The strength and stubbornness that she fought this disease with had everyone in awe of her. Friends, family and even doctors who thought she may only have a few weeks left back in November of last year. She was such a strong, inspirational fighter who never gave up.
On Thursday April 26th of this year, aged just 16, Bethany Susie Tiller passed away peacefully.
But the illness is not what defined her. From an early age, Beth loved to dance and was a member of the Southern Arts Academy. Beth loved music with Bruno Mars at the top of any playlist. As well as dance and music, Beth loved her football and was a passionate Pompey fan along with her Dad.
Beth had a great sense of humour and cheeky personality. She loved hanging out with her close knit group of friends, known to them as Tiller. Beth never let her illness define who she was. The strength and stubbornness that she bravely fought with had everyone in awe of her and her amazing smile and infectious personality are always the things people mention when talking about her.
Her Dad Dave, couldn't make picking night to speak. Understandably, it is still a little too raw for him but I asked him if he wanted to say anything to you guys. This is his message:
Hi all. Myself, my wife Claire and daughter Lottie are looking forward to showing our support for Beth's team on the days of their matches. If you show as much fighting spirit in your games as Beth showed during her ordeal, then you won't go far wrong.
Nobody can give more than their all and that was what we asked of Beth, to keep fighting her disease with everything she had.
It took alot of things from her, but she never once lost that winning smile or her heart.