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Tolair Jones at PurpleStride Louisiana 2025.
Tolair Jones, a native to Baton Rouge, La., has been living cancer free for the past three years. She had been affected by Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2022, so she was no stranger to pushing through the hardest times.
A year after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis, she found PanCAN. She quickly became part of the PanCAN community, sharing about her journey and lending a hand by becoming a PanCAN volunteer. Tolair has been a part of the organization since 2023, and we had the chance to speak with her.
PanCAN: How long have you been a survivor?
Tolair: I have been a survivor for three years, diagnosed in 2022. March marked the three-year anniversary. I had the Whipple procedure on April 27, 2022. By June 22, I was declared cancer free. There were many hospital stays during the process. The Whipple is a very tedious surgery. The recovery was six to nine weeks. I was feeling like I could go back to work, but my doctors were weary. They stated, “If you feel you can, then try and go.” I was a trooper. I didn’t want to wallow in my circumstances. Being a three-time survivor, God didn’t leave me here to wallow in my circumstances.
PanCAN: Can you tell me about your symptoms and your journey to a diagnosis?
Tolair: At that time, I was a two-time cancer survivor. Because I was Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, I received a screening every six months. One morning, a pain woke me up out of my sleep – eye-opening pain. I thought it was gas at first, so I tried to move and took some medication. It didn’t work. I pushed through it; I tried to get dressed. I took shower, thinking it would relieve the pain, but it didn’t. I tried putting on clothes and the pain still didn’t subside. I pushed through and was able to go to work. I leaned to the side driving the whole way. I called a friend and asked about her appendix surgery. After a brief call, I drove to the emergency room.
The pain was excruciating. Tests showed that I was in distress. They performed a CT scan and they saw something on the pancreas. Because of my history, they wanted to be aggressive with it. Hours later, they admitted me into the hospital and the next day they performed a biopsy. Within two weeks, the radiologist came back and said that it wasn’t a recurrence of Hodgkin or breast cancer, but they did find a form of pancreatic cancer.
PanCAN: How did you get connected to PanCAN? Can you tell me a little about your experience?
Tolair: I didn’t get connected with PanCAN until a year after my diagnosis. I started Googling about pancreatic cancer. I saw that Louisiana had a PanCAN volunteer affiliate and got in touch with them. I was invited to a Zoom call and was introduced to other survivors and volunteers – we were asked why we wanted to volunteer for the organization.
Tolair Jones on stage as a survivor.
I wanted to volunteer because I wanted people to know that it was possible to beat the disease. I wanted to volunteer to help spread the word that you can beat this, and you can survive this. Early detection is essential in the process. My doctor told me the Whipple procedure was the only way; without it he would not have been able to tell me how long I had. A year prior, I didn’t know anything about the disease. My first time volunteering at PanCAN PurpleStride was in 2024. I wanted to share my knowledge of PanCAN and how they can help.
PanCAN: Have you had genetic testing?
Tolair: Yes, when I had breast cancer I was tested for the BRCA mutation. After having pancreatic cancer, I did more testing.
PanCAN: What is your role in supporting PanCAN’s mission today? Why is it important?
I support PanCAN’s mission by supporting families or patients, helping them navigate through the journey and not feel alone. Being a survivor volunteer, I was able to connect with more people, share my story and hear theirs. When sharing my story, there were several moments where people found new information. June 1st was National Cancer Survivors’ Day. I am not just surviving, I am thriving as well. That’s why I want to be a part of PanCAN – people can still bloom, they can still survive. The women’s hospital was doing a luncheon for pancreatic cancer survivors; the name of the luncheon was called Bloom. Each survivor was able to make a floral arrangement.
“I am blossoming and blooming, not just surviving but thriving. A flower that blooms through adversity is the rarest and the most beautiful of all.”
PanCAN: Do you remember what it was that made you want to support PanCAN?
Tolair: Spreading the word on survivorship. Being a part of the organization allows me to distribute information to anyone that is faced with the unfortunate diagnosis of this disease. You can’t do this alone, you to have someone there. Some people don’t always feel comfortable with sharing their information about their diagnosis, that’s where PanCAN is a resource. I wish I knew about their one-on-one support through PanCAN Patient Services where you can ask personal questions related to the diagnosis. There is no judgement here. It is here to help and support you. Every step of the way.
PanCAN: Can you tell me what it’s been like to connect with other volunteers? Are there any anecdotes you’d like to share with me?
Tolair: Just hearing anybody that succumbs to cancer, I get into the dumps of the feeling “I survived but they didn’t.” I had a close relative who had cancer while I was diagnosed. I asked the question, why am I here and they are not? The answer was that my work was not done. I spoke to another volunteer that participated in PurpleStride this year that also had a family member who passed. They said they’re work was not done, they wanted to continue to spread the word on how they can beat the disease. I shared information with a family member who is experiencing the disease right now and is still hesitant to move forward. I explained that it’s important for her to go because the questions you have may be prevalent to the disease and may not have been asked yet, that could help someone else down the road. I had a strong support group each step of the way – if I didn’t ask questions my sister would ask for me.
Tolair speaking with a participant.
PanCAN: Has supporting PanCAN helped you in your healing process? If so, can you tell me more about that?
Tolair: Yes, it has helped during my healing process in that I was able to gather information about this disease, living life beyond this disease. And still learning about how to live beyond the surgery and living cancer free. Nutritional information, how to eat healthier, research that’s being done to help eradicate this disease. Getting information on whether you can live without a pancreas, connecting and listening to people who are living without a pancreas. Speaking with people who have had the Whipple procedure, listening to others who have had the experience. How have they lived with the disease. The organization has helped me in that aspect, being able to find information.
PanCAN: What would you tell someone else who is going through what you went through?
Tolair in front of the survivor tent.
Tolair: I would tell them: it’s not going to be easy. Having a diagnosis is not an easy journey, however, be an advocate for yourself, educate yourself and do know that all sickness is not unto that. Make sure you get a strong support system. You cannot do this alone. Grab your siblings, spouse, whoever. You need to a strong support system. Increase your spirituality. God himself will guide you through.
Isaiah 53:5. With his stripes we are healed.
What I went through is nothing compared to what god has prepared for me.
Educate yourself and talk about with your loved ones and seek the support from PanCAN. PanCAN can help you along your journey, they are here to help you every step of the way. From finding a specialist to getting a second opinion. PanCAN is here to help. Now that I know, that’s what I would do and would be doing. “I have an organization that can help you throughout this journey.”
