Mayor Jones Talks About Cancer

Cancer Arkansas Mayor Sam Jones openly talks about his ordeal with cancer and how he's getting back in the groove.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Fri, March 13, 2009 - 4:40 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, March 13, 2009 - 5:42 pm CST

For the first time since going public about getting cancer, Mobile Mayor Sam Jones openly talks about what he's going through.

Last week, the news broke that Mayor Jones was out-of-state and being treated for multiple myeloma.

After weeks of cancer treatment, Mayor Jones is back in his Mobile office. "I'm feeling fine. I'm feeling great." The leader of the Port City says his cancer was discovered in a routine check up and stresses the need for others to stay on top of their health. "I didn't really feel like I needed to come public with it as much as I thought it was important to convey to people how important it is to get checkups."

Jones was diagnosed early but it's no secret that his blood cancer kills almost half of those diagnosed within five years. "There are a number of people who live in Mobile who are patients at the same place I go. They said look I understand. We've been there. Some have been patients for 8,9,10 years so that's real reassuring."

While going through treatment in Arkansas, Mayor Jones kept working and says he never missed a beat. "It had nothing to do with my ability to move around. It had nothing to do with me being ill. I wasn't and I'm still not.'

Rumors are flying about the Mayor's illness and some are questioning his run for re-election in August. "This has not hampered me in anyway in terms of doing what I have to do. So yes, I do plan to run. I'm running now for re-election!"

The mayor says he's back in the groove and has hundreds of well wishers to thank. "It was just so overwhelming to me to get the kind of response that I got and trust me that helps a whole lot."

Mobile City Council President Reggie Copeland has asked everyone take a moment this weekend and say a prayer for Mayor Jones.

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