Charleston real estate developer Roger Jones’s life got turned upside down 15 years ago when he learned he had a rare form of liver cancer. He dealt with the physical trauma with a new kind of operation in Germany. But once through that, he faced rebuilding his spirit as he recovered.
Jones will speak 6 p.m. April 30 at the Charleston Library Society at a launch for his first book, The Final Victory.
Jones says he found comfort in his recovery in the camaraderie of Dragon Boat Charleston and racing with 19 others in what led to an exhilarating national championship.
Over the last 10 years, he’s worked to describe what he went through and the intense warmth offered through comradeship of the DBC team. What resulted is The Final Victory, an engaging semi-autobiographical novel described on a book cover as being inspired by true events, shattered bodies, broken dreams and a race to win back hope.
The raw, tough team exercise helps cancer victims recover from chemotherapy, Jones said.
“We were always one big support group encouraging each other to continue on and press on,” he recalled in an interview. “You weren’t isolated and you weren’t alone. No pun intended — we were all in the same boat.”
He said he found his paddling time to be cathartic.
“For that period of time, you forget about cancer and you forget about being sick. There is a zen that comes over you.”
New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe says Jones digs into courage in his debut novel.
“Jones explores the strength, resilience, compassion and willpower of a band of athletes who define courage and triumph over unspeakable odds,” she wrote on his website, rogerjonesauthor.com. “I laughed. I cried. I was inspired. The Final Victory is an uplifting novel we all need to read.”
Charleston paddler Lucy Spears said Jones’ novel captured the essence of Dragon Boat Charleston.
“It brought tears to my eyes, recognizing dear friends and teammates of mine as characters in the book. And reading about Roger’s personal journey was eye-opening. I had no idea what he’d been through until I read it,” Spears said.
Jones will speak at a book launch at 6 p.m. April 30 at the Charleston Library Society, 164 King St. The cost is $10 for members, $15 for general admission. Copies of The Final Victory will be available. More info: charlestonlibrarysociety.org.
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