Jane and Stephen MarmionJane Marmion is one of the original idea people behind the breast cancer volunteer movement in Houston. She is a founding member of the Breast Cancer Advisory Committee for the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine and one of the founding board members of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1991. She continues her volunteer service with Komen today as a board member for the third time.
“My advocacy centers around patient care,” said Jane, who gets emotional when she speaks of her deep belief in the causes she serves. “Of course, I’m interested in research and in clinical care, but my heart belongs to the patients and their families. What happens to them as they suffer through breast cancer, the treatments, and to the families afterward are all very important to me.”
Jane and her husband, Stephen Marmion, recently made the decision to include Baylor College of Medicine in their wills. This was easily completed by adding a codicil, an amendment to their existing wills. A bequest is the most common way to support charity through one’s estate plan. Through the years, the Marmions have supported the Smith Breast Center but believed a planned gift would allow them to make a larger contribution. As part of this decision, they have also joined the Jaworski Society.
“We have been very interested in the work of the doctors and scientists at BCM. We also enjoy going to some of the events and activities. It just makes sense to include this interest in our hope for future generations,” Stephen Marmion said.
Jane believes that her calling to become a volunteer at BCM was God’s provision of just the right timing and family loyalty.
“My love for Baylor College of Medicine is deep rooted in my family history. It goes back to my father who was a Baylor University graduate as well as medically trained by Baylor here in Houston,” Jane said recently. Her father, Albert W. “Bill” Jester, was a 1944 graduate. Stephen Marmion, likewise, is supportive of the BCM efforts and has been at his wife’s side through all of her advocacy for breast cancer care. Their involvement with BCM dates back to 1999 with the formation of the first Breast Center Advisory Council. As lifetime members of The Partnership, BCM’s largest citizen advocate group, they support The Partnership’s mission to inform individuals, foundations and corporations about BCM’s premier education, research and patient care programs.
The legacy from her father influenced Jane’s decision when dear friends asked her to become involved in the initial efforts to support Dr. Kent Osborne as he moved to BCM from San Antonio. She points out that one of Komen Houston Affiliate’s first grants went to BCM in 1992. In 1999-2000 a Komen Houston Affiliate grant purchased a mammogram suite in the BCM Breast Center. Jane’s current interest is in developing funding for patient care and family support.
“It thrills me to be asked to help. God provided me with an opportunity, and I had the availability to serve and to organize some of the initial efforts,” she said. That is exactly what Jane is good at doing. Her behind-the-scenes brainstorming with friends is at the core of many of the committees and women’s groups who start a movement and then get an idea off the ground, benefiting others for years to come.
In 2003 Jane co-chaired the first Pink Ribbon House for the BCM Breast Center. This idea, developed by Royce Hassell and Charlotte Rhodes, is greatly supported by the Advisory Council and the community. Today, it remains the primary fundraiser produced by the Council, seeing funds grow with each Pink Ribbon House. “Many of us were there for the beginning of things. And, we’re still here,” she said.
She has followed up that initial interest as an advocate for patient care, preventive screenings and after-care.
“I believe we need to be concerned with families who are experiencing illness such as breast cancer. We need support groups and active volunteers. As we focus on research to produce a cure for breast cancer, we also need that same focus on the patient care and family support,” she said.