Grateful to live here: A note from Tina Jones to the community

Saturday night’s fundraiser for FHMS teacher Tina Jones went very well, with a crowded Mullis Center-full of friends, colleagues, family, students, and community members surrounding our friend with love & support as she fights cancer…here’s a note from Tina:

Tina

Grateful to Live Here

I’ve lived many places in my life and I am so grateful to have landed here.

Last summer I was diagnosed with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer. I was frightened and very concerned about how I could cope living alone on an island. My family and friends off-island counseled me to re-locate, at least temporarily.  I’m glad I didn’t.

As soon as word spread, the support and information I received from “Islanders” was overwhelming.

Soroptimists provided much needed ferry tickets.

Food and nutritional advice were made available thanks to Barbara Marrett, Binney Haenal, Linda LoBue, Steve Smith, Jeff Altman, Greg and Carol Ford, Hobbes Buchanan, and the Friday Harbor School District Food for Thought program.

My alternative health team of Sandy Richard, Pat Gislasen, and Teri Gentry came on board keeping the aches and pains and much more at bay.

Paul Hopkins and Binney Haenel kept me exercising and, very importantly, oxygenating my system.

I’ve had time off thanks to the great staff of the San Juan Island School District and great incentive to get back into the classroom due to the encouragement and kind words from my current and former students and their parents.

I’ve had wood heat for my home thanks to Darrin Scheffer, the Ochoa-Garcia family, Kevin Roth and my neighbors, Jeff Altman and Bob Freeauf.

I can’t thank Melanie Cope and Isabel Gabriel enough.  These are the two young women who, through the Friday Harbor High School Soroptimist Club, spearheaded the fundraiser for me. With the guidance of Debbie and Dave Staehlin they pulled-off an amazing event.

Finally, I thank my community as a whole.  You have embraced me, prayed for me, and wished me well throughout this adventure.  I feel honored and blessed to be a part of this community.  Recently, I received the news that I am in remission.  (My treatment continues, as there is no cure for this yet.)  I know I am in remission partly because of you, my community.  Thank you for your generosity and support.  My life is sweeter and I am a more inspired person for living here amongst such gracious people.

Tina Jones

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