Georgia Magazine - January 2025 - 38

Hometown HEROES
By Amber Lanier Nagle
Tiffany Underwood serves
patients undergoing chemotherapy
Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She passed along the cherished
chemo-care bag to her mother.
Underwood and her husband, John, endured many sleepless
nights during that time. Th ey wrestled with how to make meaning
from their experience. Th en John Underwood had an epiphany.
" He said: 'Let's replicate the bags and give them to chemo
patients. Th at's how we can give back-by loving others who are
going through what you and your mom have gone through,' "
Underwood recalls. " We immediately began talking about
forming a nonprofi t organization, and he suggested using a
nickname from my childhood-Tiff Tiff 's Chemo Bags. "
Th ey formed a 501(c)(3) dedicated to creating and
distributing chemo-care packages to patients.
Th ough Underwood's mother ultimately lost her battle
with cancer, her fi nal wish would become the catalyst for her
daughter's mission.
" She requested that in lieu of buying fl owers for the funeral,
friends and family donate funds to our nonprofi t, " Underwood
says. " Th e beauty of it all is that Mom's ending was the beginning
of Tiff Tiff 's Chemo Bags. "
Th e organization has distributed 200
How to help
To learn more or to help Tiff any
Underwood provide bags to chemo
patients, contact her at (912) 690-5455 or
tiff any@skincopro.com, or send funds to:
Tiff Tiff 's Chemo Bags, 110 Thompson St.,
Vidalia, GA 30474. You can also help via
PayPal @Tiff Tiff sChemoBags or through
Venmo @Tiff Tiff s-ChemoBags.
bags to patients undergoing chemotherapy
at the Low Country Cancer Center in Vidalia
and throughout the U.S. Th e bags-valued
at about $50 each-are partially funded by
donations from people in the community,
as well as a $5,000 prize Underwood, who
owns a skin care company called Skin Co.,
won competing in Th e Skin Games last year.
Th e Skin Games is an annual competition
and awards show that recognizes the best
in the skin care and beauty industry.
Each chemo bag contains items such as a blanket, socks,
T
iff any Underwood often thinks about how the events
of 2022 led her down an unexpected path. Th at June,
Underwood, an aesthetician and business owner in
Vidalia, was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia, a rare cancer
of the blood and bone marrow.
Th e day before her fi rst chemotherapy treatment, her
mother-in-law, Ruth, dropped by to give her something.
" She gave me a really nice bag full of items-a blanket,
socks, hand cream, snacks, magazines and Jolly Ranchers-to
help me feel comfortable during my treatments, " Underwood
says. " And I used every single item in that bag! "
She completed her treatments in early September 2022,
but as she and her family began breathing sighs of relief,
Underwood's mother, Valerie Quigley, was diagnosed with
38 Georgia Magazine January 2025
lip balm, lozenges, puzzles, books, magazines, a reusable
water bottle and skin care products from brands Underwood
works with.
Underwood says the most rewarding aspect of her mission
has been the heartfelt appreciation from recipients, who often
share hugs and tell her how much receiving bags has meant
to them.
" I want people to know that a simple act of kindness can
create far-reaching ripples that impact so many lives, " she says.
" And to all the cancer patients out there, remember Exodus 14:14:
'Th e Lord will fi ght for you; you need only to be still.'
" He's got you. You may feel that you are alone, but you are
not. You are never alone, and you are always loved. "
Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer based in Adairsville.
ANNA-HUDSON HAMILTON
Georgia Magazine - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - January 2025
