Jane Jernigan - “You Have to Ask Yourself”

Jane Jernigan, Fayetteville, NC

Jane Jernigan substitute teaches at two elementary schools in Fayetteville. But her biggest job is trying to keep up with her 3-year-old twin grandsons who live nearby. It scares her to think that she might never have known them. But in 1997, before the twins were born, Jane was diagnosed with lung cancer. That's when her doctor referred her to the cancer specialists at UNC.

Because of the location of the tumor, surgery wasn't an option. So her doctors at UNC enrolled her in a nationwide clinical trial for an experimental course of treatment. Over the next five months, she had more than a dozen chemotherapy treatments and 37 rounds of radiation.

Seven years later, Jane's doing great. She continues to be in awe of the team of doctors, nurses and technicians involved in her care. "The whole group up there is just absolutely, tee-totally unbelievable. They are the most professional and caring people I have ever seen. And it doesn't matter who you are; they treat everybody the same way, like you're part of their family."

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