Fighting the good fight Tiffany Williams
By Allison McCrory / Photo by Kate Treick Photography
Proactive.
For Tiffany Williams, there is no other option. So, when cancer reared its ugly head, action was swift and decisive.
“I had stage zero breast cancer two years ago. On August 16, 2022, I opted for a double mastectomy. I was fully reconstructed before Christmas,” said the mom of two little girls living lives packed with school days and afternoon ballet and gymnastics. Williams wasn’t about to miss out.
“Not surviving was not an option,” said Williams. “I had to be ready for the fight because I had a life to live.”
And live it she does, juggling the lives of her daughters with inspiration from “Finding Nemo.”
“Mom life is full of surprises and a balancing act,” said Williams, who often finds herself channeling Dory’s advice to “Just keep swimming!”
In addition to motherhood, Williams nurtures her marriage to her husband, Cassius Williams, who works in law enforcement, works her job of 20 years, rallies for increased cancer research and funding and now fights for her father’s life.
“My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and we are now about to begin his journey ... when I found out about my dad, I sprang into action. It felt like it was time to report to duty,” she said.
In addition, a close friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has started chemotherapy.
While the disease creates landmines all around her, Williams keeps fighting for those she loves, herself and those she’ll never meet. She volunteers with American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. With fellow members of the organization, she treks to Capitol Hill every year, rallying for increased cancer research funding and legislation.
Through it all, Williams’ battle cry is consistent: Make screenings a top priority.
“I am passionate about early detection. Early detection is key. Early detection saved my life and greatly influenced my outcome,” said Williams, who knows first-hand the difficulty of making time for preventive measures. “Women are pulled in so many areas these days. Sometimes we nurture everyone but ourselves. We have to make time for self-care and self-check-ins.”
She credits her parents with teaching her to care for her health well.
“My parents preached to me and led by examples the importance of health when it came to early detection screenings. When I heard the news of my breast cancer diagnosis, I cried but immediately felt grateful that my breast cancer was caught early.”
A true cup half-full kind of girl, Williams calls her cancer journey “positive and empowering.”
“I feel good. I feel empowered with knowledge that can help others. Even though my cancer was caught early, I am being followed by my surgeon and have regular checkups, which should end this year.”
Maintaining equilibrium is a component of Williams’ healthy lifestyle.
“I am a fan of walking in the evening and strive to live a life where I manage my stress levels.”
Like so many cancer patients, Williams said emotional support is crucial to her healing.
“I ended up having so much support from husband, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The diagnosis touched everyone in my life. I am so incredibly blessed to have family and friends. I miss my breasts, but the replacements aren’t bad ... I am alive and that is a blessing.”
