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| Girl’s family honors her by making a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer today |
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| Wednesday, 15 July 2009 | |
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Jennifer Larson Community Editor When a 14-year-old Tiffany Ferguson was diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia in May 2001, it was the words that no parent ever wants to hear. Her mother, Nancy, says she doesn’t recall pediatric cancer being as commonplace as it is today—eight years after Tiffany’s passing. According to government statistics, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15. During the seven months between her diagnosis and death on Dec. 13, 2001, Tiffany endured six rounds of chemotherapy and never went into remission. Family and friends remember Tiffany fighting gracefully, courageously and without complaint, never giving up until the horrible disease took her life shortly after turning 15. With her contagious smiles and rosy red cheeks, Nancy says her daughter was a very generous, caring, compassionate teenager with a love for life. Younger sibling Tonicia, who was just 7-years-old at the time, was able to make wonderful memories with Tiffany before she lost her battle with cancer. More painful is that Tiffany had only days with her baby sister Tiahnah, born in October 2001. And while Tiffany is longer on this Earth, she’s forever in the hearts of all those who knew her. Foundation Tiffany’s family decided to bring awareness to childhood cancer by honoring the girl taken away from this world far too soon. They established Tiffany’s Angel Foundation with a mission to assist, support, serve and advocate for children with cancer and their families. Nancy said that a lot of money contributed to such organizations as the American Cancer Society goes to research. She and husband, Blair, wanted to create a way to help families with their loss of income. The couple had firsthand experience of how hard it can be to pay bills and purchase essentials like food, all the while caring for an ill child. “The foundation has sat idle for too long,” said Nancy. Retreat Some donations from TAF help to offset expenses associated with Tiffany’s Retreat. Contributions are tax deductible. “The foundation has paid for gas to help families get to the retreat,” said Nancy. One example is a family from Illinois that couldn’t afford the fuel cost of road tripping to Minnesota. The retreat was started by Tiffany’s loved ones and Willowbrook Community Church friends, the Schillings, whose desire was to provide a quiet, peaceful place for families coping with cancer to get away from the hassles of home, chores and hospitals. Oh, and there is no charge for those families. The retreat is located on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes in Cross Lake, MN. Since the Schillings purchased it in 2005, nearly four dozen families have occupied the beautiful home over the last few summers. When Tiffany’s Retreat is not being used to host families, it is made available for scrapbooking and craft making groups for a fee. The four bedroom, two bathroom house can accommodate around 10 guests. But the financial crisis has hurt everyone, putting the retreat’s fate in jeopardy. “Due to the current state of the economy, the owners may be forced to sell,” said Nancy. She noted they would welcome any ideas on how to keep Tiffany’s Retreat open or even possibly individuals, organizations or investors who might want to be involved in such a rewarding, meaningful opportunity. “The retreat has been a haven for families to spend quality time together during a very stressful and difficult period,” said Nancy. For more information on TAF or the retreat, visit www.tiffanysangelfoundation.org. Social Bookmarking ...       |
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