Tyler Cone, 20, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 18 and has recently been told treatment is no longer working
Tyler Cone and sister Millie have only 14 months between them (Image: Submitted)
A sister is taking on a mountainous feat to give back to charities that have supported her brother who has recently received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Tyler Cone is just 20 but has been told treatments are no longer working. He was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and liver two years ago, when he was just 18.
His younger sister Millie Cone is teaming up with their childhood friend, Macy-Jay Stainton, to climb a mountain to raise money for cancer charities. The pair said it is the least they can do for Tyler, who “climbs a mountain every day”.
Millie, 19, said: “He is my best friend and we both know we are the only friend we both need. He’s my only friend that I ever really need. He’s my rock and he’s my world. He doesn’t care about himself. The only time he’ll get upset is when he says, ‘I don’t want to leave you. I just want you guys to be fine’. He doesn’t care about himself, he just wants us to be ok.”
The siblings, who grew up in West Hull, have just 14 months between them. Millie says they look very similar, but Tyler will insist he is the better looking one. She says “the most heart breaking thing” is that Tyler has never smoked, vaped or touched alcohol, and will only drink water. That and his young age is why his family was so shocked when he was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his 18th birthday.
Tyler turned 18 on May 18, 2024, and in the months between his birthday and his diagnosis in November of that year, he experienced symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and weight loss. His diagnosis led to multiple rounds of chemotherapy at Castle Hill Hospital and pioneering treatment in Newcastle. But he has recently been told the treatment is no longer working.
Tyler is allowing his sister to share his story for the first time in order to raise money for Working Independently to Support Hull Hospitals (WISHH) and the Teenage Cancer Trust. “He didn’t want people to see him as someone that’s poorly and got cancer,” Millie said. “He wanted people to see him as Tyler, just a normal teenage lad. It’s about time people know how much strength and bravery he has.”
The former All Saints Church of England Academy pupil used to love playing rugby as a child, but had to give up when his illness became worse. He supports Manchester United and Hull City, but has not yet decided which he is going to shout for now they are both in the Premier League. “He spends a lot of time fishing,” Millie said. “It’s the peace and quiet that he loves. He loves winding everyone else up that he’s caught something big.”
Millie and Macy plan to climb Mt Snowdon in Wales on August 29 and are collecting donations via a Just Giving page. Macy said: “I’ve known them for years. We used to be neighbours, I lived next door but one to them. We’ve been best friends ever since. It’s hard. I lost my dad a couple of years ago and Millie was always there for me.” She says growing up together is “like a different type of bond”.
She said: “Tyler is always funny, boisterous, always has a smile on his face. He is such a picky eater, never drinks fizzy juice. He still walks around with a smile on his face, looking to make people laugh. You wouldn’t think he’s going through what he’s going through because of the smile on his face. The WISHH foundation has been so helpful to them all – really supportive to Tyler and his family. We want to help other people and let them know there’s support out there.”
The girls are hitting the gym training for their walk and hope to surpass their £1,000 target. Millie wrote on the fundraising page: “For the last two and a half years, I have watched my brother fight terminal cancer. At an age when he should be worrying about the normal things a 20 year old worries about, Tyler has instead had to face something that no young person should ever have to go through.
“He has faced countless appointments, treatments, hospital stays and some incredibly difficult days. Despite everything he has been through, Tyler has continued to show an incredible amount of strength, courage and bravery. He is my big brother, but he is also my best friend, and watching someone you love so deeply have to fight a battle like this is something I could never have imagined.
“It is going to be tough, but that feels fitting. Tyler has had to climb his own mountain every single day for the last two and a half years, and we want to take on one of our own for him.”
The funds raised will go to WISHH and the Teenage Cancer Trust. Donate to their fundraiser here.
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