Quincy Jones is an American comedian who saw his rise to fame when he turned to the public to help him fulfill his dying wish of performing onstage. Jones, who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer that typically attacks several major organs, was given one year to live in 2015.
How Quincy Jones Turned His Life Around
He turned to Kickstarter where he was able to raise more than $50,000 to film a comedy special. On April 4, 2016, he performed to a packed house at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, California. His special, titled “Burning the Light,” aired on HBO on June 2 of that year.
The 32-year old aspiring comedian received some heartbreaking news during a routine visit to his doctor in 2015. He was told that he was suffering from mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that has been linked to asbestos exposure.
The cancer had ravaged his body and had spread beyond the scope of treatment. He was told that he had less than 12 months to live. Instead of embarking on a series of risky, adventure-seeking thrills, he decided to fulfill his life-long dream—to become a standup comedian.
A longtime fan of comedian Chris Rock, Jones had been hitting the ground all over the country, performing in bars, clubs, and lounges. He racked up more than 1,000 hours on stage in one year, sometimes performing as many as three times per night.
Fellow comic Nicole Blaine and her husband Mickey produced the show, and it aired to an audience around the globe. Jones, who is always in high spirits, uses part of his set to make light of his condition and disarm the audience. He decided not to let his death sentence get him down. He speaks about embracing every moment and making it count.
The Diagnosis
His nightmare began in 2014 with some uncharacteristic bloating in his stomach. He reported looking pregnant and feeling full all the time. A battery of tests revealed that the young man, just barely in his 30s, had mesothelioma. He immediately started a grueling round of chemotherapy that left him drained and battered.
So far, he has outlived his prognosis and is looking forward to creating a new comedy special. “I can’t be the Magic Johnson of mesothelioma,” he says, making a reference to the basketball star who has lived a full life for decades past his AIDS diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the thin membranes that encase the body’s most vital organs. The most common forms attack the heart, lungs, and abdomen.
Some of the earliest symptoms include persistent cough, distended abdomen, and increased heart rate. Because its symptoms mimic that of other conditions, doctors don’t typically diagnose it until it is in the end stages. Treatment for mesothelioma includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation treatment.
Mesothelioma Causes
The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that is found on construction sites and in auto manufacturing.
Construction companies have been warned that exposure to asbestos causes this type of cancer for years, and they are tasked with protecting their workers from coming into contact with the deadly substance. But while most companies are diligent in protecting their workers, many turn a blind eye, choosing profits over people.
Workers who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are entitled to compensation. In many cases, this extremely aggressive form of cancer could have been prevented, but their employers’ negligence upped the risk dramatically.
Unfortunately, not all mesothelioma patients who worked in construction are eligible for worker’s compensation because the disease’s onset can be greatly delayed. In that case, their only chance of getting compensation is to hire a mesothelioma lawyer and sue their former employer(s).
Conclusion
After a ruthless cancer diagnosis, comedian Quincy Jones has managed to turn his life around and even make fun of the disease. But for most mesothelioma patients, the condition is no laughing matter, especially when it is fast advancing. Jones, however, remains a shining light and good example of how to make every moment count.
