By Southwester Staff
When communities come together to fight breast cancer, great things happen.
That’s the case with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund, (TDJBCF) a grassroots nonprofit founded in Southwest DC, which have worked together for over a decade.
The ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement raises millions of dollars annually to support the ACS mission to save lives from breast cancer and fuel lifesaving breast cancer research and free patient programs, such as education, screenings, lodging and transportation.
ACS has funded more than $600 million in breast cancer research since 1946 and, this year alone, has invested $79 million in breast cancer research grants. This is possible in part thanks to volunteers like Jamal O. Jones. In 2024, Jones and his son Seneca O. Jones, age 13, are serving as team captains for the TDJ Dynamic Striders.
Breast cancer has had a huge impact on the Jones family. Jamal Jones was 25 years old when his mother TDJBCF Founder Thelma D. Jones was diagnosed with late Stage IIIB breast cancer at age 55. Since then, he has regularly participated in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks and occasionally brought his son along. Jamal Jones said, “It’s important to support my mom on her journey and mission to help reduce the incidence and mortality rates in breast cancer, especially for women like her. She regularly says that early detection saves lives and creates better outcomes. ACS continuously reminds us that women like my mom are developing breast cancer at an earlier age, diagnosed with more aggressive types when the outcomes are lesser and more costly, and dying at earlier ages. It’s a no brainer to be involved.”
Moving in his father’s footsteps and being aware of breast cancer almost since birth, Seneca Jones added “I want my Nana to be around for a long time, so I am helping with the fight also!”
Today, Thelma Jones is a thriving 17-year breast cancer survivor who will celebrate her 72nd birthday on September 5.
“This is my opportunity to help support the life-saving services and programs that both ACS and my mom provide in pursuit of a world free of breast cancer. It is also an opportunity to continue to help educate my son about breast cancer,” said Jamal Jones.
In 2022, Jamal Jones raised over $3,000, and has increased his goal to $3,500 this year.
For more information, visit www.cancer.org or contact ACS at 1-800-227-2345. You can also donate to the TDJ Dynamic Striders at https://tinyurl.com/bdda9uhp.