‘IF LOVE COULD HAVE SAVED YOU, YOU’D HAVE BEEN HERE FOREVER’
AHEARTBROKEN husband has praised the bravery of his “vibrant and courageous” wife after friends raised more than £84,000 in a bid to save her life.
Natasha Cox, 36, had been diagnosed with breast cancer and after running out of treatment options with the NHS, desperate friends and family rallied around to try to fund alternative treatments.
They set a goal of £100,000 but tragically, Natasha died earlier this month – just days after qualifying as a solicitor – with the fundraising target at a staggering £84,000.
In a tribute, her family said: “If love could have saved you, you would have been here forever.”
Husband Martin said she had suffered “a traumatic few months dealing with the complications of stage four cancer” before her death.
He said: “There are no words to expose the intense sorrow that neither I nor her family and friends feel at her passing.
“I burst with pride knowing that she trusted me to be by her side throughout her journey... which was fraught with rocky roads and slippery slopes both of which she handled with absolute grace, courage and dignity.
“She was my safe place and I hers, she made me feel like I belong and her loss will leave a gap that can never be filled. Home is not a place it’s a person.
“With her warm heart and genuine interest in people Tash had the innate ability to touch the hearts of everyone she met, she was loved and admired.
“Her drive for self improvement and living life to the fullest knew no bounds. Even whilst dealing with her darkest days she fulfilled her longterm goal of qualifying as a solicitor.
“She was just incredible. I’ll be eternally thankful for the love, laughter and memories I get to keep forever.
“There will be a new star in the sky tonight burning bright, shining down on us.”
Natasha, of Pembrokeshire, had been clear of cancer for nearly half a decade when she found out her illness had returned in 2021.
She had first been diagnosed in March 2016, after noticing changes to her nipple and breast and following treatment was given the all-clear.
After falling in love with electrician Martin, she wanted to check her fertility prognosis and came off tamoxifen, which is used to prevent breast cancer in women.
It was then that she started getting “indescribable” pain and knew something was “very wrong”.
In April 2021, Natasha was rushed in for testing and was told the cancer had returned and spread.
The couple married in June last year surrounded by family and friends.
In a post on Natasha’s Facebook page, a tribute stated: “With heavy hearts we are absolutely devastated to have to share that in the early hours of Monday morning we had to say goodbye to our beautiful Tash.
“There are no words alone that could convey the magnitude of the loss we as a family feel.
“As anyone who had the privilege to meet her knew, she made the world special just by being in it. She really was the kindest and most wonderful soul who truly deserved the best from life.
“For so long Tash fought with such courage, dignity and grace, always staying true to herself whilst fearlessly protecting those closest to her.
“Even with what she had to endure daily, Tash continued to work incredibly hard striving forward and on February 1, 2024, she achieved her longterm goal of becoming a qualified solicitor. We are so proud of you Tash.
“Whilst gone, her incredible light will forever shine on through the memories and experiences of all those that knew and loved her.
“Sleep tight and rest our beautiful Tash. If love could have saved you, you would have been here forever.”