Andrew Jones – Life After Cancer & Fatherhood
From a life-altering leukemia diagnosis as a University of Texas sophomore to entering his fourth year of professional basketball, Andrew Jones has been defined by resilience. Seven years after his cancer diagnosis, Andrew is celebrating his most cherished milestone yet: becoming a father.
“Life has been pretty good lately,” Andrew says. Entering his fourth year with the Kapfenberg Bulls of the Austrian Basketball Superliga and working toward a championship has been an unforgettable experience. But off the court is where Andrew finds his heartbeat as a proud fiancé and father to their newborn daughter.
The Ultimate Reference Point
When Andrew looks at his life today and reflects on the time he spent in treatment following his leukemia cancer diagnosis at 20 years old, he uses that chapter as a “reference point.” It’s a reminder of how far he’s come and his motivation to keep moving forward.
There was a time he feared he would never walk again, let alone play professional basketball. “It’s something I have gratitude for,” Andrew says. “And that’s why I go out and play these games and try to enjoy it.”
Today, Andrew is feeling stronger and more athletic than he has in a long time. While playing overseas, he found a wonderful healthcare team, his doctor in Austria even happened to personally know his doctor back home at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. The two physicians worked together to ensure his treatment plan transitioned smoothly. While his daily routine still includes medication, Andrew is thankful for the global support system that keeps him healthy.
“I’m grateful that God’s given me a chance to continue to really be healthy, continue to play the game that I love, and then also have the chance to tour the world.”
The Journey to Fatherhood
When Andrew originally completed his treatment, nerves about his future fertility kept him from having in-depth conversations with his medical team.
But once Andrew and his fiancée began to discuss starting a family, he knew it was time to connect with his doctors. He wanted to know whether his body was healthy enough to father a child, and if his cancer was something he might pass on to his future children.
With reassurance from his medical team that his type of leukemia was not hereditary, Andrew felt confident in his body and at peace about the health of his future children.
Because of continued investments in cancer research, medical advancements ensure that patients like Andrew have access to the vital information and specialized care they need to build families and look forward to a long, healthy future.
“I give all glory to God, because after cancer, I didn’t know if I was capable of having kids,” said Andrew. “My biggest thing is I wanted to be able to have a legacy, to extend my bloodline and build a family.”
A Surreal Blessing
In April, Andrew and his fiancée, Jaiden, welcomed a healthy baby girl, turning years of quiet worry into overwhelming joy.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” said Andrew. “After everything that me and my fiancée went through to see my baby girl, is a true blessing from God.”
The distance of being overseas and not yet being able to see his newborn daughter in person has been difficult, but fatherhood has given him a renewed sense of clarity.
“I know there’s a bigger purpose,” said Andrew. “Once the season is over it’ll all be worth it. When I come home, we’re going to be inseparable.” Knowing the day, he is finally able to hold his daughter will be “the best feeling in the world.”
A Father’s Day to Remember
For Andrew, being home in the United States to experience his first Father’s Day is a milestone he cannot fully put into words. He is used to spending the holiday celebrating his own dad and the other fatherly figures in his life. Being celebrated alongside them after the uncertainty of whether he could have children is a true victory.
The celebrations will continue into the summer with Andrew and Jaiden officially tying the knot this June. As he steps into these new chapters of husband and father, Andrew remains grateful for the opportunity to continue playing the game he loves, his fiancée’s unwavering support, and most of all, the chance to be a father.