Support swells for softball tourney for Monessen man’s cancer treatment

Aug. 05--When Jan Bialous and a few other friends of Paul "P.J." Jones got together and came up with an idea to help Jones pay exorbitant costs of his cancer treatment, they had no idea where their plan would take them.

"P.J. was like Mr. Softball around here for a long time years ago, so we figured we would put together a celebrity all-star softball game of his friends and former teammates to raise some money," Bialous said. "It was a simple idea."

That one-game format has grown into a 12-team single-elimination tournament that will be played at City Park on Aug. 17, starting at 10 a.m.

"It just took off like wild fire," Bialous said, shaking his head. "We originally figured we would have two teams with 20 players each and have some fun and raise a little money.

"But once word got out that it was for P.J., it just exploded. People came out of the woodwork who wanted to be involved. It surprised us how big it has gotten."

But not Jones, 63, a 1968 Monessen graduate who starred in football and baseball. After graduation, he went to Kansas Wesleyan for a year to play football.

He then transferred to California University and played two years each of football and baseball.

After his college days, Jones had a career in competitive slow-pitch softball that spanned 20 years as he played for some of the finest teams in the Mon Valley.

"I told those guys when they ran it past me that a lot of people are going to want to play," said Jones. "I have a lot of friends."

Jones is suffering from bladder cancer that has since spread to his bones.

He was treated for it seven or eight years ago and it went into remission.

However, recently, Jones said he could tell that the cancer had returned to his bladder.

"I knew it came back, but I didn't have any insurance, so I didn't go to the hospital," Jones said. "By the time I did go, it had spread to my hip and now it is in my spine."

Jones began taking both chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the same time in early June to fight the radical spread of the disease.

"But then the doctors said that doing both at one time was too much," Jones said. "I just finished the radiation and am starting the chemo on Wednesday."

Jones, who now walks with a cane, says he is optimistic about his latest battle.

"I mean, the doctors told me it will never go away, but they think they can control it and I'm going to fight like heck to get it under control."

The Monessen man recently was treated to a trip to Steelers training camp in St. Vincent where he was permitted to go on the field and was also named by Monessen football coach Andy Pacak as an "honorary coach" of the Greyhounds for the 2014 season.

The softball tournament will raise money through player fees (every player will pay $20 to participate) and through sponsorships and donations.

All proceeds will go directly to the Paul A. Jones Sr. Cancer Care Fund.

"This is going to be a fun day for everybody involved and it's going to be nice to help P.J. out as much as we can," said Bialous.

In addition to the tournament, there will be food and beverages sold at the new park concession stand. Also, several information tables will be set up, including one from Mon Vale Oncology that will inform people on the potential signs of cancer.

Bialous said people or businesses who want to participate as sponsors can do so by calling him at 412-354-9630 or by calling Jones' daughter, Tabby Jones-Grogan at 724-344-6197.

Other tournament committee members working with Bialous include Grogan, Dave Bergstedt, Jim Perry and Debbie Mucy.

"I'm not surprised, but still I'm overwhelmed," said Jones of the support he has received for his battle. "It's nice to have friends, really good friends."

Jeff Oliver is a sports editor for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-684-2666 or joliver@tribweb.com.

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