In this video from the 2010 World Championships you'll see Amy (AJ). You can't miss her, she is front and center coaching her team through every step, clap and tumble along the way!

About the LYMI Fund

In January 2011 Amy Jones (AJ to her teams) was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. On April 8th the staff, parents and children of East Celebrity Elite Cheer and Dance (the gym where Amy is a Coach) held a fundraiser so that they could help their wonderful friend with the battle of her life! The first fundraiser was attended by over 200 people!! 

On November 26, 2012; less then 24 hours after marrying her soulmate and love of her life, Kyle Eades; she lost her hard fought battle but never once lost her humor or loving kind spirit.AMY-zing!

Amy's spirit and positive attitude is amazing. Or, as her family likes to say, AMY-zing. She is determined to beat this!! Amy was so honored by the response of the first fundraiser that she has promised, once she beats this, all money raised moving forward will be donated to help others from the cheer and dance community who might be fighting the same battle! 

Amy was a gymnast who started at the age of 7. She coached gymnastics for many years and was a member of the ECSU (Eastern Connecticut State University) dance team. At East Celebrity Elite Gym in Oakdale, CT she coached all aged members, beginners through advanced; as well as, cheerleaders, dancers, tumblers. Amy was also a member of the Worlds Team, Fame.

Amy always encouraged her "kids" to do their best and she expected nothing less. She was a strong enthusiastic Coach who touched the lives of so many children and impressed so many parents and other Coaches.

Determined not to let this keep her down, in March 2011 Amy went to team practices with a bag strapped around her neck which included a line that ran into a port in her chest so she could receive medication throughout the day. Many medications and dosages were changed along the way due to allergic reactions. Amy later refused to miss the 2011 Worlds Competition in April. The team was so inspired by her tenacity and dedication they were determined to “win it all for AJ!”, and they did!! 

The cheer and dance teams Amy coached claimed numerous National and Grand Championship wins. In April 2011 her senior hip hop dance team became Two Time World Champions after also winning it in 2010! A feat not done by any other coach in the cheer and dance industry!

Upon coming home Amy had surgery to remove a tumor. After this surgery Amy was in a significant amount of pain, not being able to sit or stand. She also now had a colostomy bag. Amy was attending weekly appointments where she would sit for hours and be infused with chemotherapy medication. But she was still getting to team practices as often as she could! Shortly after her last surgery Amy became short of breathe, the cancer had metastasized to her lungs. Obviously, this created more tests, more Doctor visits and more medications. While at work if she didn’t feel well she refused to show it. She told her boss one day ”I forget I’m even sick when I am with my kids.” This is the love she has for her job and her teams!!

Amy’s cancer again spread and it was understood that the chemotherapy would no longer work. 

She was accepted as a candidate for treatment and moved to Houston, TX. Since this treatment is a “clinical trial” it is not covered by her insurance. Again, Amy refused to let it keep her grounded, she flew back to Connecticut to work with her teams the week before Worlds 2012. At this point she was so weak she needed a wheelchair through the airport. 

During Worlds 2012 Amy was named "2012 Dance Coach of the Year!" by the Dance Coach Association! An honor given based purely on her talent and accomplishments. In the audience that night were her fiance, Kyle, Mom and two sisters, Stacey and Shelley.

Just before a trip back to Houston in June the pain Amy was enduring was so severe she was taken to the emergency room and admitted at Yale New Haven hospital. More tests, another surgery to repair a tear in her colon and back to a colostomy bag. The top oncologist at the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital was called in. It was then decided that Amy and her fiance', Kyle, would stay in Connecticut. 

After 50 days in the hospital and multiple surgeries to repair the fistula's in her colon, Amy and Kyle finally went home and started planning their wedding for the coming December! The day after Thanksgiving Amy was back in the hospital due to difficulty breathing. Her cancer had once again progressed. That Saturday evening a ceremony was performed in Amy's hospital room - she and Kyle were married! She then slipped into a coma, early Monday morning she lost her hard faught high spirited battle. Her entire family and new husband were by her side.

It has always been her family who said, "Love you, mean it!" Because you can't say "Love you!" without meaning it! And Amy shared that sentiment with everyone she met. The staff and kids from her gym, the dance team in Texas where she was asked to come in and share some of her techniques, and, most of all, her family and friends!! 

Amy's spirit and positive attitude during her entire battle was amazing. Or, as her family continues to say AMY-zing. 

Amy was so honored by the response of the first fundraiser that her dream was to continue the LYMI Fund. She wanted to have a fund for athletes in the cheer and dance industry that might also become ill so she could give back to the kids she loves so much, and means it!!

Quote of the Day

AJ's favorite: "Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."  - Vivian Greene

She truly lived by this! Life is precious, it is a gift. We should all try to be like AJ!!