This month I have the distinct honor of standing before you as a part of the Women in Blue Campaign – raising awareness and support for the Cancer Wellness Foundation. This cause is deeply meaningful, as cancer touches each of our lives, and recently, it has touched mine in a profoundly personal way.
I dedicate my participation in this campaign to the memory of a dear friend and fellow Troy University Trojan – Billy Jones. Anyone who knew Billy understood that he was truly larger than life – a man of integrity, vision, and unwavering commitment to others. He co-founded Crowne Management and later Gericare Medical Supply, serving as president of both organizations. For Billy, healthcare was not simply a profession; it was a calling. He believed deeply in caring for people, especially the most vulnerable among us.
Billy’s love for TROY lives on through Jones Hall – the nursing building he and his wife, Frances, helped make possible – and through a scholarship recently established in his memory to support deserving TROY students. His legacy is woven into both healthcare and the university he loved so dearly.
As a two -time TROY graduate and Alumni Director, I proudly bleed cardinal. But this month I will wear blue.
I will wear blue in memory of Billy Jones – not only to remember how he lived, but to honor how he would want us to move forward; by raising awareness, supporting one another, and standing united in the fight against this devastating disease.
I will wear blue to honor my friends who have fought cancer and prevailed – Johnny Crawford, Kathy & Rusty Ninas, Barbara Harrington and Debbie Hopper- because like these dear friends – early detection saves lives and screenings matter.
I will wear blue so that, together we can ensure cancer does not have the final word. Yes, I normally bleed cardinal. But for March and this campaign I will proudly wear blue!