Beauty from Ashes

Tiffany Underwood's personal battle with cancer showed her a way to help others

What does a loved one who has just received a cancer diagnosis need most from family and friends? Unfortunately, it’s an all too common question that many of us have had to face. Only a year ago, Tiffany might have been as perplexed as anyone by that question. But today, she knows firsthand what a simple bag of practical and thoughtful items like the one she received from her mother-in-law, Ruth Underwood, can mean for someone undergoing cancer treatment. Today, Tiffany has made her nonprofit company, Tiff Tiff’s Chemo Bags, a mission of love.

Tiffany worked as a food manufacturing biologist for Chicken of the Sea and U.S. PET for several years. Then, in 2012, she took over management of her and her husband’s various businesses, which included Rhodes Electric, rental properties, and other investments. During this time, she began noticing skin changes. Eventually, Tiffany was diagnosed with cystic acne. Although the condition is more common in teenage years, it can develop during any time of life and often follows natural hormonal changes in the body.

Unlike typical outbreaks, cystic acne is a severe, painful condition that can leave severe scarring. Ever the biologist, Tiffany began to research different treatments. But after medicines and every other treatment she tried failed, she scheduled a virtual consult in January 2020 with Reanne Kelly, a Master Esthetician in Washington. With an intensive internal health program and specific products for her condition, Tiffany’s skin showed marked improvement within a few months.

“I'd always had an interest in the ingredients of beauty products and how they're sourced,” she said. “I thought it would be amazing if I could go to school and help someone else. So, on a whim, I applied for the Esthetics Program at Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro and was accepted.”

Tiffany Underwood with her husband John delivering bags to the cancer center in Vidalia.

In August 2021, Tiffany began the twelve-month program at Ogeechee while continuing to manage her and her husband’s businesses. Her natural talent for skin care was evident from the start. Before long, even her teachers were asking for her opinion. Tiffany had a gift for matching skin type with the right products and knowing what ingredients were necessary to restore skin health. She had the most clients coming into the school clinic for her services.

As the weeks passed, Tiffany could not shake off fatigue and general malaise. At first, she blamed it on her intense schedule. She was still managing all the businesses while also going to school full-time. “And, I reminded myself, I was getting older. I was thirty-eight. Getting closer to forty,” Tiffany smiled. “When I look back now, I realize I had not felt well for some time.”

But her physician, Dr. Foust, decided routine bloodwork was in order. The results were concerning enough for him to refer her to a hematologist. Then, there was nothing to do but wait on the results of more tests. Only in looking back would Tiffany recognize the series of seemingly unrelated events as divine messages of encouragement and preparation for the days ahead.

The first was a phone call from her best friend’s daughter, Anna Hudson Hamilton. “A couple of months earlier, my husband had taken me to see this new bright orange jeep. I don’t even like the color orange,” she smiled. “But we ended up getting the jeep. Anna Hudson wanted us to drive her to the service at Vidalia Cornerstone Church that Sunday in our new orange jeep.”

Struggling to keep up with work and school while physically feeling unwell, Tiffany had fallen out of attending church services. Even so, there was no way she would refuse Anna Hudson’s request. “As I was getting ready that morning of June 5, 2022, she felt the Lord speak to her heart and say, ‘Put your armor on. You’ve got a battle ahead.’”

Tiffany and her husband picked up Anna Hudson and went to the service in the orange jeep. On that particular morning, Patsy Blalock shared a testimony about “overcoming” while undergoing treatment for stage 4 cancer. “She’s this unassuming and kind older woman. She was thanking the people for their love and support during her treatment,” said Tiffany. “It was an amazing story of how God brought her through it. It really was a miracle. She said that God obviously had more for her to do. But the entire time she was speaking, I kept hearing the Lord say to me, ‘Keep her perspective, and hold it in your heart.’”

Tiffany was being prepared. Putting on her armor was not an act of self-protection but a revelation of God’s protection. Every piece of the “armor of God” except one from Ephesians 6 speaks of something He had provided. The helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, belt of Truth, shoes worn in preparation for peace, and the shield of faith. All spoke of trust in what He had already accomplished. Only the sword was an offensive weapon: “The sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God” (ref. Ephesians 6:17b). Even then, God’s words would protect and keep her heart and mind.

On June 8, 2022, Tiffany was told she had a rare type of Leukemia called “hairy cell leukemia.” The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website defines it as “a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow…. Hairy cell leukemia gets its name from the short, thin projections that look like hair on its cells” (www.lls.org). “It more commonly affects older males,” said Tiffany. “Only 2% of those diagnosed with this type of cancer are women.” She shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “You’d think they could come up with a cooler name, right?”

Her sense of humor was not a cover-up but a way to keep the seriousness in check. The irony of the orange color for the ribbon for Leukemia was not lost on Tiffany. She smiled and said, “If we had not bought that bright orange jeep, Anna Hudson would probably not have asked for a ride to church in my ‘cool’ jeep on that particular day.”

Tiffany’s first round of chemotherapy at Low Country Cancer Center in Vidalia was scheduled for July 11. “The day before is a day I will never forget,” she said. “I had so many people reach out to me and come pray with me. Some came just to ‘lay eyes on me’ and say they were there for me. When my mother-in-law brought the bag to me, she said I would need these during chemo treatments. In the bag, there was a blanket, socks, hand cream, tablets and rinse for dry mouth, anti-nausea drops, and other items I would never have put together myself.”

On the day of treatment, friends gathered outside her treatment room to support and comfort her with their nearness. In the treatment room, Tiffany had the gift bag from her mother-inlaw and a book given by a friend called “Praying Through Cancer” by Susan Sorensen. “It’s the best devotional ever,” she said. “The prayers and the inspiration and encouragement are amazing.” But it wasn’t until that first treatment that she understood how grateful she would be for every item in that bag. “I used everything. The blanket, the socks, the Jolly Ranchers. Everything. There was no way I could have known what that bag would mean. It gave me such comfort.”

Chemo treatment continued for five days, followed by immunotherapy once a week for four weeks. Each treatment of immunotherapy took eight hours. All through treatment, Tiffany continued to go to school. For a while, she didn’t tell anyone there about her diagnosis and treatment. She had already reached the course requirement of one thousand “contact” hours she needed for certification. But, eventually, she had no choice. “The only thing they had to do for me was give me my final test separately because I had chemo treatments during that last month of school.”

Tiffany graduated from Ogeechee Tech on August 2, 2022, and finished her treatment on September 6th. When the test came back on December 2, that she was in remission, she was more than grateful. “The reality is that although it is treatable, it is not curable,” said Tiffany, “which means I could have to go through treatment again in two years, twenty years, or never.” But now was the time to celebrate and look forward with gratitude and expectation.

On September 14th, Tiffany passed her board exam. The following day, her husband, John, said, “Let’s go see your building.” The week before her diagnosis, Tiffany and John had closed on a building on Maple Drive in Vidalia. He insisted it was the perfect place to set up her new shop. But two weeks after her last treatment, Tiffany learned that her mother, Valerie Quigley, had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The news felt like a violent undertow had knocked her down, and now an entire ocean pressed against her chest.

Chemo treatments were immediately scheduled. When Tiffany finally fought through the weight of all the emotions, she got the bag her mother-in-law had given her and took it to her mother. It was the one thing she knew would be a comfort in the days ahead. Tiffany was grateful to find that one of the nurses that had attended her during treatment would also care for her mother. “On my last day of treatment, we figured out that Jennifer and I were in the same firstgrade class,” said Tiffany. When she pulled out her first-grade class picture, she found her. “She’s looking just over my right shoulder. Like an angel.” She smiled. “Jennifer was my mom’s nurse the entire time she was in treatment. They became very close. It made me wonder if she had been brought back into my life just for this time.”

Tiffany with oncologist Dr. Sreekanth Reddy at the Low Country Cancer Care center in Vidalia

It was Tiffany’s husband, John, who came up with the idea of giving bags to other patients in treatment. “You should call them ‘Tiff Tiff’s Chemo Bags,’” he said. (Tiff Tiff is an affectionate nickname given to her by many of her closest friends and their children.) “You know how much that bag comforted you,” John said. “Imagine all the people you could help.”

Tiffany knew her husband was right. “About 10 to 15 new cancer patients are coming for treatment every month right here in Vidalia,” she said. When she shared the idea with others, she realized that she wasn’t alone. No longer was cancer someone else’s story. Nearly everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, whether with a family member or a friend. Donating chemo bags was something they could do. Something that would make a difference for the person in treatment. A way to give love in the most practical possible way for someone in treatment. Tiffany began the process, and in November 2022, Tiff Tiff’s Chemo Bags was officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

During her chemo treatments, Tiffany discovered her nurse Jennifer had also been in her first grade class. An old class photo revealed Jennifer looking over her should "like an angel," said Tiffany. When her mother began treatment, Jennifer was by her side again. "It made me wonder if she had been brought back into my life just for this time."

The nonprofit was not the only way that Tiffany found to help people in her community. While Tiffany focused on her mother’s care, renovations moved forward on the building on Maple Drive. On February 8, 2023, Tiffany opened the doors of her new skincare business, SKINCO, for her first client. “I understood so much more now about the skin during chemo and menopause that I would never have known before,” said Tiffany. “The concept of SKINCO was always to be a place that provided everything from waxing and facials to lash lifts and skin health. I know from experience the effect of chemo on the skin. I understand how menopause changes the skin because I underwent induced menopause.” It wasn’t just a good business idea; it was now a passion.

And she would need that passion now more than ever. On March 28, 2023, John’s stepfather, Sam Polk, passed away unexpectedly from complications of cancer. He and his wife, Ruth, had been married for thirty-six years. On the morning of his funeral, Tiffany's mother passed away. She was by her side ‘til the end. Valerie Quigley was only fifty-seven years old at the time of her passing. That same day, Tiffany and her husband attended his stepfather’s funeral. Even though it was difficult, they walked through it together.

After meeting Tiffany, I was reminded of the message Bill Johnson, Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California, gave on July 22, 2022, shortly after losing his wife, Beni, to cancer. “It’s easy to judge God by what He didn’t do,” he said. “But the humble heart will look at what He’s done.” His words are the sum of my impression of Tiffany. Yes, she has suffered. But with humility of heart, she has been strengthened and comforted. (Note: Bill Johnson’s entire message entitled “How to Process Loss and Disappointment” is available on YouTube.)

Hundreds of people in Tiffany’s church and community sent cards, texts, and prayers and brought food. Some sat for hours at the Cancer Center during her chemo and infusions just to be a comfort by their presence. Children made bracelets that said TTT for “Team Tiff-Tiff.” Friends set their cell phone alarms for reminders to pray for specific needs. And when her mom was diagnosed with cancer, “Those same people sent her cards, food, and gifts,” said Tiffany. “She was so amazed by the outpouring of love and care from people, and some she had never met.”

And when Tiffany’s mother passed away, an outpouring of love carried her through the darkness of loss and grief. Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” “Mourning will either take you to the Comforter, into the presence of the Holy Spirit, or it will take you to unbelief,” said Bill Johnson. “Mourning can take me into [His] Presence to experience what I don’t understand…. Answers won’t fix the problem; [His] Presence will” (YouTube.com).

From the bright orange jeep to the nurse from her first-grade class, Tiffany saw each one as a sign of God’s presence and care. On May 23rd, she made her first delivery of Tiff Tiff’s Chemo Bags to the Cancer Center in Vidalia. The response was overwhelming. Eventually, she hopes to expand the outreach to other cancer centers nearby.

I began this article with the question, What does a loved one who has just received a cancer diagnosis need most from family and friends? I want to answer that question with a bold statement. As difficult as it is to walk through the loss of a loved one, there is something even more tragic: Walking through loss alone. Tiffany’s family, church family, and this community put their arms around her and proved that love is stronger than death. They shared in her suffering and her hope in remission. From the ashes came beauty. And that is what both SKINCO and Tiff Tiff’s Chemo Bags are really about.