Kids Create Hope Walk is June 30 at Beaver Island

by Karen Keefe
Grand Island Dispatch, June 22, 2007

Drs. Shane and Gail Ferguson and their children in August of 2005.

From heartbreaking loss has come hope for the family of Dr. Shane G. Ferguson. Dr. Ferguson died last September at age 38 after a three-year battle against a rare and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. He wanted to make sure that young cancer patients had increased odds of survival – and now his family is helping to make that dream a reality.

Shane’s mother, Marilyn, said that during his illness, he often denounced the lack of funding to research his rare tumor. Before his untimely passing, the pediatrician made it known that his wish was for people to donate to the Pediatric Cancer Society, she said. “His goal, as always, was to help children reach their full potential -- in this case, giving young cancer patients the chance to optimize their futures,” according a Web site biography dedicated to his cause.

To honor Shane’s memory, his family has established Kids Create Hope, in association with the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. “The whole family has been working on this,” Marilyn said. “It’s helping all of us.”

As a result of their efforts, the first annual Kids Create Hope Walk will take place on Saturday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to noon at Beaver Island State Park.

“It’s all about kids helping kids, Marilyn Ferguson said. Children who participate can “raise some money for kids who aren’t as fortunate as they.” She said children of any age are welcome to join in the fund-raising event. The youngsters will have a chance to walk with Buffalo Sabres alumni Rob Ray, honorary chairman of the event. Also, 97 Rock will be there with music. There will be a raffle, nice prizes, face-painting and many fun activities. Children can get pledge sheets on line, and if they raise $100, they can get a free T-shirt.

The idea of the Kids Create Hope walk is to teach children how their involvement in community can make a difference. The motto is: “Let’s go do some good.”

The goal is twofold: To support pediatric cancer research and to empower children to be proactive, giving members of society. Proceeds from the Shane G. Ferguson, M.D., Pediatric cancer Research Fund, established in his name benefit pediatric cancer research through Carly’s Club at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

To register or for more information about the 3K or 5K walk: e-mail info@kidscreatehope.org; visit www.kidscreatehope.org or call 716-491-5545.

“Cancer is the chief cause of death by disease in children under age 14,” according to the brochure for the Kids Create Hope Walk. But very encouraging statistics show how donations to pediatric cancer research have helped dramatically increase cancer survival rates for its youngest victims over the past three decades.

For example, 30 years ago, 5 percent of acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients survived. Today, 94 percent survive.

Shane’s story is an inspiring one, and his family has rallied around the cause of the children who were so dear to him.

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Shane was one of three brothers in a close-knit family. A graduate of LaSalle Senior High School, Shane earned his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from the State University at Buffalo and his M.D, magna cum laude, at the UB School of Medicine. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and received the Frederick B. Wilkes Award for Excellence in Pediatrics.

His biography on the Web site captures the enthusiasm and dedication of the man. “As Shane’s patients would attest, from the time he joined Town and Village Pediatrics of Amherst in 1998, he practiced with compassion, empathy and respect. He was never too busy to listen to a parent’s or a child’s concerns and made those concerns his own, often going above the call of duty to ensure that his patients were receiving proper care and attention.

“Despite his professional dedication, Shane always made his family his first priority. During his residency, Shane met Gail Smallen, a fellow pediatrician. They were married in 1997 and had three children, two daughters and a son. They chose to remain and practice in the Western New York area and maintained close relationships with their families,” the biog

The Ferguson family is armed with love, inspiration and knowledge in the fight against pediatric cancer – Shane’s surviving twin brother and his widow both are doctors, and the cause is one the whole family shares.

If you can’t walk in the event and want to make a donation, checks may be made payable to “Ferguson Endowed Fund,” and sent to P.O. Box, 222, East Amherst, N.Y. 14051.