Jess Roberts, a 35-year-old from Dudley, bravely fought breast cancer once before it cruelly returned and spread to her brain. During a holiday, Jess developed a persistent cough that wouldn’t go away. Initially treated for fluid on her lungs, further tests confirmed the devastating news: secondary breast cancer.
Her partner, Darren Whitley, brought Jess home from Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley to spend her final hours with family, their beloved dog Calvin, and the comforting presence of a Marie Curie nurse. Jess passed away peacefully at home on April 13, 2024.
Now, Darren, 36, will run the London Marathon in Jess’s memory — his first marathon since losing her — raising money for Marie Curie to support others facing terminal illness.
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Jess was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at 29, less than a year after they had started dating. After five months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy, reconstruction, and radiotherapy, she was declared cancer-free in December 2018. The couple celebrated with a holiday to Thailand. Darren ran the London Marathon in 2019 for the Institute of Cancer Research, and in 2022, Jess completed the marathon herself, crossing the finish line alongside Darren — a profound symbol of her strength and triumph.
But the joy was shattered in September 2023, when during a trip to Dublin, Jess’s cough revealed the cancer had returned and spread to her lungs and liver. Facing stage four terminal cancer, her doctors hoped she might have years left, but after more chemotherapy, options ran out.
Despite this, Jess lived fully. She spent Christmas with loved ones and even enjoyed a trip to Disneyland Paris in early 2024, managing three days on her feet. Known for her youthful spirit, Jess continued embracing life to the end.
Her health declined rapidly when the cancer reached her brain. With support from Marie Curie nurse Michelle, who stayed by her side through the night, and the love of her family and dog, Jess spent her final hours at home. Darren praised Marie Curie’s compassionate, expert care as a vital comfort during this harrowing time.
Jess passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Now, Darren will carry her photo on his marathon top as he runs the TCS London Marathon on April 26, raising funds to support Marie Curie’s vital nursing care. A donation of £23 can pay for an hour of palliative care, offering comfort to others facing terminal illnesses.
Darren hopes his story encourages others to seek support from Marie Curie, emphasizing it is not a sign of giving up, but a source of essential help. This marathon will be his sixth and fourth London run, forever marked by memories of running with Jess — who “always brought the best out of me.”