Angie Jones

After graduating from Texas A&M University I began my career in 2001. Since then I have embarked on a journey no one would ever map out for themselves. My relentless walk with cancer began with my position at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where I served as the Light The Night Walk Director for the North Texas Chapter. I was challenged to raise over $4 million dollars for Blood Cancer Research and Patient Services. Much to my surprise I found out in 2005 what my years of fundraising meant to a family given such a life changing diagnosis. Two months after my marriage to my husband he was diagnosed with cancer.

After a six month period of surgery & observation, shortly before our first Christmas, we were told that he was cancer free and our life could begin. We were told that children would not be an issue, that there was no need for Chemo, the surgeon “got it all” and we had no need to worry. Catching us by surprise in early 2006, the cancer had returned. It had spread and would require a more invasive surgery and definitely chemo. After surgery & seven months of chemo, he was finally in remission. At this point we decided to start trying to have a baby. As we figured, what we were told in the beginning was false; it was going to be a very long road with male and female infertility physicians helping us to conceive. After months of pills, doctor’s visits, ultrasounds and procedures, we finally were pregnant. The months after were terrifying, not only for the health of our baby, but we knew that the year after chemo was the most critical time for cancer reoccurrence. During this time I started a new position with a group of oncologists & complete care cancer facilities, where I acted as a community, physician & patient liaison for the facilities.

Over the past 3 years I have helped educate the community, doctors and patients about the importance of a complete care cancer journey. Not only your physician, but your entire support team, is extremely important in such a traumatic life changing illness. My passion for education has led me to my current role as the “grassroots” community and marketing liaison for the Nurse Navigator. I truly understand the importance of having someone guide you through the cancer experience one step at a time, something that we were never offered. My husband is still in remission & we have a beautiful little girl, but I know that the events that have led me to this stage in my life could have been much easier with a Nurse Navigator to guide us. I will continue to strive to educate the community regarding cancer care and prevention and the importance of fertility preservation during your conceiving years.