ANNOUNCING THE WOMAN OF THE MONTH

Meet August’s Fort Worth Woman! Tiffany Hungerford, a New York woman of strength, resilience, and compassion, has made a significant impact on the Fort Worth community in only five years. Her journey, marked by personal triumph over adversity and an unwavering commitment to service, is a testament to her character and dedication.

Tiffany is a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend, living with Crohn’s disease. She and her husband, originally from upstate New York, embarked on a journey that took them from their home state to South Carolina, Georgia, and finally Texas. Over the past five years, they’ve made Texas their home, raising their two sons, Benjamin and Ethan, far from their families. Despite the distance, they’ve found a new family in their friends in Texas.

Tiffany’s journey with Crohn’s disease began when she was 16. For years, she avoided discussing her illness. She states, “I didn’t want anyone to know that I was living with IBD. I refused to BE my disease or to allow my disease to define me.” However, over time, she realized that her disease had shaped her into the person she is today. It didn’t define her, but it did make her more empathetic and aware of the struggles of others. Tiffany passionately explains further, “I have evolved from embarrassment, shame, and denial about my illness to wanting to raise awareness and find a cure so that others don’t have to live this way.”

Her official diagnosis came when she was a newlywed. After weeks of being told she had a virus and almost being discharged from the hospital, she was finally diagnosed with severe Crohn’s disease thanks to a doctor who recognized that her vitamin levels were dangerously low. Tiffany explains, “Some of my tests revealed that my potassium and magnesium levels were so low, I was within hours of cardiac arrest. I truly credit this Gastroenterologist, Dr. Marhaba, with saving my life. Had I gone home, I surely would not have survived. What followed was 13 days of hospitalization, tests, complications, and finally, a diagnosis.”

The journey was far from easy, filled with hospitalizations, complications, and a host of medications with agonizing side effects. As a newlywed, Tiffany and her husband were left reeling over the unknown. Tiffany bravely shares, “I had severe Crohn’s disease. I didn’t know what that was or what it meant for me. My husband and I were young, in our early and mid-twenties, we had just started ‘adulting’ on our own. How would this change our life? Could I take an antibiotic and be better in 10-14 days? What was the long-term prognosis? For as many questions as we had, there were no good answers. I needed a list, a hard copy of exactly what this meant for me, what I needed to do, and when I would be ‘fixed’.  Unfortunately, this didn’t, and doesn’t exist. Crohn’s Disease isn’t the same for everyone. So not every approach, diet, or medication works the same for everyone. 

After checking herself out of the hospital against physicians’ orders, Tiffany found herself craving normalcy but their arrival home was harder than expected. She states, “When I got home, I could only walk up my stairs once per day because it was so exhausting. I would have to stop at every other stair to catch my breath. I spent 3 weeks going to physical therapy to rehabilitate my veins due to the damage done from the various IVs including potassium, magnesium, and heavy steroid and antibiotic infusions.” For the next year she continued to struggle with feeling ill and in addition had to tackle insomnia (due to taking such high levels of steroids), depression, and feelings of hopelessness. Tiffany shares more, “I became depressed and begged my physician to please find any other medication that could help me. I felt like I was slowly losing my mental health right along with my physical health.”

Her resilience shone through. She agreed to try a new medication, a biologic drug given intravenously every six weeks. It took time, but the medication drastically improved her condition, allowing her to regain control of her life. Tiffany shares, “Despite being terrified of needles at the time and really being unsure of the long-term-implications of this medicine (it had only been around for 5 years), I was desperate. I agreed to try it.  It took time but drastically improved my disease and allowed me to come off the steroids I had been on for so long. There were risks and unknowns, but after about 2 years, I started to feel like myself again.”

One of the most common misconceptions about IBD is that it’s just a bathroom disease. But as Tiffany can attest, it impacts your complete body. It affects your eyes, your joints, your mental health, and can lead to other health issues. The medications that you take for this disease come with their own lists of potential side effects and altering damage to your body.

Despite the challenges, Tiffany and her husband refused to let her illness define their lives. They wanted children but were unsure of the side effects of the medication. She elaborates further, “There wasn’t enough research out at that time for us to know whether it was safe for me to continue the medication while pregnant.  So, we waited, and we watched with bittersweet happiness as friends and family around us went ahead with their lives, having babies and raising families. It was agonizing and painful. I had always wanted to be a mother. The waiting and uncertainty were worse for me than the actual disease itself.” Finally, after years of seeing specialists and working hard to get her disease under control, they were given the green light that it was safe to start a family. By 2012, they had two healthy boys.

Tiffany’s diagnosis and subsequent journey changed her dramatically. It opened her eyes to the struggles of others, and she felt a pull to help in any way she could. From the early stages of her professional journey between New York and Fort Worth, Tiffany has been relentless in her pursuit of serving her community. Her career started in the heart of the community, serving families with children dealing with developmental disabilities through the Urban League. It was here that Tiffany began to build a strong foundation of empathy and understanding, as she worked hand-in-hand with families navigating the challenges associated with these disabilities. She describes further, “My diagnosis has shaped and changed me. It opened my eyes to the struggles of others. Instead of just seeing or hearing their struggle, I began to really feel that I could empathize with their struggles. I understood what it was like to have something out of my control happen to me and must live with that every day. No matter what I did, I would be sick. I would live with this illness for the rest of my life, or until a cure was found. I would see families struggle with circumstances that were out of their control and sometimes, despite doing the best they could, it wasn’t enough.”

Her experience broadened as she furthered her work in mental health programming, funded through a grant with Head Start. Tiffany delved deeper into community service, lending her skills to an outpatient program for medically fragile children at a Children’s Hospital’s Developmental Behavioral Department. These roles not only put her in direct contact with individuals who were grappling with various challenges, but they also provided her with a profound insight into resilience and the indomitable spirit of humanity. A humanity she understood all too well given her diagnosis. Her heart continues to shine as she states, “My diagnosis and subsequent diagnosis changed me dramatically. Not only did it open my eyes to the struggles of others, but it also truly helped me see that everyone is dealing with something significant and should never be judged.”

Upon moving to Texas, Tiffany didn’t just pack her bags and relocate; she also brought along her unwavering commitment to service. She immediately established a parent and community group dedicated to supporting her local Title 1 elementary school. What started as a humble initiative in her backyard soon grew, evolving into the non-profit 501 c3 organization known today as Cheers for Coder, Inc.

Under Tiffany’s diligent leadership, Cheers for Coder, Inc. has undertaken numerous initiatives designed to uplift and support the school. They have funded supplies, fulfilled teacher wish lists, and even revamped the school’s playground equipment. But Tiffany didn’t stop there; she ensured the organization was actively involved in sponsoring school events and stocking a little library with free books, enabling the children to borrow and take them home during the summer break.

Yet, it’s not just children’s education that Tiffany is passionate about. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation holds a special place in her heart. After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the tender age of 24, Tiffany understands first-hand the challenges faced by those living with chronic diseases. She took her personal struggle and turned it into a platform for advocacy, serving on the Craft Planning Committee for the past four years and is working tirelessly to raise funds for research to find a cure for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. She describes the event further, “Craft is a unique and creative fundraiser for the North Texas/Oklahoma Chapter of the Foundation.  As an annual speakeasy-themed cocktail competition where local mixologists compete to create the “Best Craft Cocktail in Cowtown”, proceeds from this amazing night benefit the Foundation’s mission to find a cure for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.” This event sells out consistently each year, and for good reason.

Tiffany’s dedication to service extends to her family, and she has made sure that they too are involved in community service. Her husband, Tom, serves on the Board of Directors for the Tarrant Area Food Bank, and her children volunteer at various locations serving others. For Tiffany, it’s not just about providing monetary assistance; giving time is just as, if not more, valuable.

Her personal experience with a chronic illness has not made her bitter; instead, it has enriched her service, bringing a level of empathy and understanding that only someone who has walked a similar path can offer. Tiffany’s commitment to service is unwavering: she never hesitates to roll up her sleeves and get involved. She understands what it feels like to grapple with situations beyond one’s control, and she uses this understanding to guide her efforts in serving others. She states, “Whether it is raising money for schools, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, or various organizations associated with food insecurity, I have seen how these types of organizations can have an influence on our community.”

One word that encapsulates Tiffany’s impact on Fort Worth is “Empathy.” Through her dedication to serving various organizations, she has seen firsthand how they can positively influence the community. She tirelessly advocates for patients, using her personal experience to encourage self-advocacy and to spread awareness about the availability of new medicinal choices, support services, and alternative therapies.

Tiffany loves the community of Fort Worth for its unmatched kindness, supportiveness, and hospitality. She and her family have been welcomed with open arms, and she’s met countless individuals who have shown them nothing but kindness and support. Despite living away from family and dealing with a chronic illness, Tiffany has found a second home in Fort Worth, filled with friends who have become family.

Tiffany’s journey is one of resilience, empathy, and unwavering dedication to service. She is a testament to the power of turning personal adversity into a platform for helping others. And in doing so, she has left an indelible mark on the community of Fort Worth, proving that service isn’t just about giving—it’s about understanding, empathizing, and working tirelessly to make a positive difference.

If you’d like to support Tiffany and join in on the Craft Cocktail Competition benefitting the Chrohn’s and Colitis Foundation on September 9th at The Ostreum, click here: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0013c00001pcC9cAAE/events/vevt:147779ae-1058-4a66-8bef-330154dfac16/home/story. There are only 40 tickets left!