Sharon Jones Says Her Cancer Has Returned

Photo Credit: ​Lilian Ca
Sharon Jones announced the return of her cancer on Friday night at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sharon Jones, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, shared some very sad news during the premier of her bio documentary at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. She announced to everyone that she had been diagnosed with cancer once again, ironically during the premier of her documentary, Miss Sharon Jones!, about the cancer she had previously beat.

According to Consequence of Sound she was quoted saying, “I start chemo on Wednesday,” Jones said, according to Thompson on Hollywood. “But I’m gonna keep fighting. We got a long way to go.” Jones was joined on stage by her Dap Kings band and oncologist, Dr. James Leonardo. Dr. Leonardo also took the mic, signaling the screen and the crowd as he said, “People ask me how I can do what I do. This is how.”

Jones was first diagnosed with bile duct cancer on June 3rd, 2013 where she would have to undergo surgery to have the cancer removed. She would end up having to postpone the release of her group’s fifth album, Give the People What They Want. This diagnosis would then change to a stage two pancreatic cancer and force her into chemotherapy. Jones would eventually beat this cancer and this journey is what the documentary would be about.

She and the Dap Kings are an American soul and funk group based out of Brooklyn, New York. Jones did not see her share of success, singing backup in the 70’s, until later on in her career with her first Grammy nomination being in 2014 with the band for best R&B album of the year. Jones’ story is one of adversity and perseverance. She has been faced with obstacles along the way and has overcome them all with tenacity and a smile on her face.