Thirteen years ago, Starlet Jones received a life-altering cancer diagnosis. Following a routine physical with her internist, she received the news no one wants to hear; she had stage 4 lung cancer. After a CT scan showed a suspicious spot on her lung, a second opinion by a cancer center physician confirmed the mass was a tumor and diagnosed her with late-stage cancer.
Devastated by the news, Starlet and her husband George connected with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) radiation oncologist and dear friend, Dr. Frank Lake, III who encouraged them to seek a final opinion. He introduced them to Dr. Andre Kallab, a hematology oncologist at NGMC Gainesville, who took on her case. As a result of their care Starlet’s cancer remains in remission 13 years later.
“I owe my survival to my physicians, Dr. Lake and Dr. Kallab,” said Starlet. “Their quality care coupled with compassion and kindness helped me more than I can express. Dr. Lake would meet me at the hospital when I was having treatment, or he’d come by the house or take our late-night phone calls. They each gave me so much hope, and impact of that hope cannot be overstated.”
In recognition of the lifesaving care she received from Drs. Lake and Kallab, the Starlet Rhodes Jones Foundation made a transformational gift to the NGHS Foundation in support of the proposed free-standing hospice house announced late last year. The gift was made as part of a $10 million campaign to break ground on the new hospice house and will include the dedication of spaces in the facility, to be named in their honor.
To donate to Hospice House of NGMC and help raise the remaining funds, please visit nghs.com/hospice-house.