Lafayette woman running to fight cancer

Lafayette, Ind. (WLFI) - Several doctors dismissed an eye problem that had been troubling Aimee Jones for several years, but when she decided to have the mass above her eye removed, she was told she had cancer.

Now she's in remission from lymphoma, and running to help others fighting the disease.  Jones is now 44-years-old.  Every day she laces up and hits the road for an 8-mile run. But now she's running with a purpose.  Jones is taking a lot of life in stride these days. Jones said running keeps her in shape both physically and mentally after her fight with cancer.

"I've been a runner my whole life. My dad instilled that in me. I've always had a passion for it, but now I have a purpose for it," said Aimee Jones.

Jones was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's MALT lymphoma, or a form of lymphoma involving the Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue. The wife and mother of two underwent 30 treatments of radiation and is now in remission.

Jones's family and the purple jersey she wears keep her motivated.

"I wanted to do a marathon. I never thought, coming out of remission, that I would be running a marathon, let alone with this amazing group of people."

While Jones was fighting cancer, the leukemia and lymphoma society contacted her. Its non-profit group Team in Training ran races in her honor, and raised money to fight lymphoma.

Now, she's taken up their torch. Jones is running and raising money, for 20-year-old Amy Wood of Tipton. Wood was diagnosed with leukemia.

"She's a cheerleader. She's outgoing. She has lots of friends. And then, all of a sudden, that's all changed. It's all taken away from you, and you're in for the fight of your life. And that's what happened," said Jones.

Jones is raising awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society by telling her story. She's raising $2,600 to run her first marathon in October: a race she's running for Amy Wood, and for others who can't.

Jones is holding a fundraiser at Sergeant Preston's in downtown Lafayette on September 23 from 6:30-10:30 p.m.  Local Country artist Scott Greeson will be performing. There is also a silent auction and a drawing for prizes. The proceeds will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.