Clayton State Senior Raises Awareness for Ovarian Cancer

Clayton State University Integrative Studies major Julia Jones (Forest Park) is earning more than class credit in her senior internship. Jones is raising funds to support earlier detection of ovarian cancer through Ovarian Cycle, Inc.

Jones, who lost her mother to ovarian cancer, is merging her passion for the cause with her educational goal of work in the public relations sector. Now in her second internship with Ovarian Cycle, Inc., Jones is taking what she’s learned in the Clayton State classroom and making a difference by promoting Ovarian Cycle’s 2008 Ride to Change the Future scheduled for Apr. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Atlanta’s Midtown Athletic Club.

“Supporting the efforts of Ovarian Cycle not only brings awareness to this silent killer, but also brings people to fitness,” Jones explains of the annual event. Health clubs across the nation participate in Ride to Change the Future, a stationary bike ride created by fitness expert Bethany Diamond in memory of her friend Debbie Flamm who lost her battle with the disease. Participants form teams and ride 100 virtual miles on indoor bikes to raise money for ovarian cancer research.

Jones plans to pursue a career in public relations in the non-profit sector after she graduates from Clayton State in spring 2009. “My plans are to work for a non-profit organization not necessarily for the salary, but more for the cause,” she says, and cites Clayton State Assistant Professor of Journalism Dr. Randy Clark as her inspiration for pursing public relations.

Jones invites the community to join in the cause saying, “If you have a mother, daughter, sister or aunt, you have a reason to support earlier detection….We have the power and the responsibility to make a difference.”

For more information on Ovarian Cycle’s Apr. 26 Ride to Change the Future, visit www.ovariancycle.org. To learn more about Clayton State University’s Integrative Studies program contact the College of Arts & Sciences at (678) 466-4735.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding, comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.