Doug Jones was used to dealing with long-term health symptoms due to a 2005 work-related whiplash injury.
But in the latter half of 2019, when the retired police officer began to feel extreme fatigue that left him struggling to keep up with his daily swimming routine, he knew something was wrong.
After a series of tests, including the results of a biopsy, Jones was diagnosed that November with Stage 4 Diffuse Large B Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
Sadly, Jones passed away in November 2020 at the age of 63. However, his widow, Robin Jones, has generously stepped forward to include a planned gift to BC Cancer Foundation in her will to honour Doug’s legacy and support other families facing cancer.
Jones hopes that by telling her story, she will inspire others to partner with the Foundation that supports cancer research and care in British Columbia.
Comfort and guidance
Jones was referred to oncologist Dr. Ed Brooks at BC Cancer, who guided his treatment.
“We both felt fully informed and supported through all treatments,” Jones describes.
“They were timely, and they were seamless. We had regular and ongoing communication with the oncologist. It was remarkable, and we felt great to be in such good hands. It makes it so much easier when you have a team like BC Cancer that helps you every step of the way.”
When a 2020 PET scan revealed Jones’ husband’s lymphoma was not in remission, he was given the option of enrolling in the CAR-T cell trial to provide cutting-edge immunotherapy treatment, a trial made possible by BC Cancer Foundation donors.
While draining, the treatment provided Jones with some extra quality of life.
“We were able to resume our daily long walks, which we loved to do,” Jones says.
Despite the news that his cancer continued to progress, Jones wanted to continue with the clinical trial for as long as he was able to.
“It was important for him to support BC Cancer’s research,” Jones says of her husband’s commitment to the clinical trial and her own decision to leave a planned gift to the BC Cancer Foundation.
“It’s my way to honour Doug’s commitment to continue research and development in the hope of further increasing survival rates for future generations.”
Leaving a lasting legacy
This year alone, over 6,400 Vancouver Island residents will be diagnosed with cancer, with that number expected to increase significantly over the next 10 years. In fact, cancer impacts one in two British Columbians. However, donors can support solutions today that will have an impact for generations to come.
This ongoing effort includes planned giving options that empower donors to make a significant and lasting impact by including a gift to BC Cancer Foundation in their will, with their legacy helping to build a world free from cancer.
BC Cancer experts are amongst the top in the world for both cancer innovation and care with donor support helping fuel key research at Vancouver Island’s Deeley Research Centre.
“There is success with these treatments. Not everyone survives, but there is very good success,” Jones says.
“If that research can continue to improve and advance, it’s going to help everyone in the future with this disease.”
To learn more about planned giving with BC Cancer Foundation, contact Jordan McClymont at jordan.mcclymont@bccancer.bc.ca or visit bccancerfoundation.com/legacy.
