Ex-Hoffman High coach raising money for cancer research
After Dennis Ferguson was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer, his doctors sent him home to die.
"That wasn't something I was ready to do," he said. Instead, Ferguson is using the time he has to make his mark on the world of cancer research in an impactful way -- raising cash.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is an exceptionally rare cancer, according to Erin Stewart-Chen of the National Foundation for Cancer Research. It is also very aggressive and deadly.
"It can't be cured by surgery," Stewart-Chen said. "The only treatment option is radiation plus chemo."
Even this can't cure the cancer, only try to control it.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is usually discovered as a lump in the neck. It often spreads to the lungs, and only 10 percent of people diagnosed live up to three years.
Ferguson, who lives in Barrington, taught at Hoffman Estates High School for more than 30 years. He also coached football, basketball and cross country. He still coaches youth sports with the Barrington Parks District.
Due to the rarity of cases and the grimness of the prognosis, very little research is done on anaplastic thyroid cancer. This didn't sit well with Ferguson, who is now part of an experimental study at the University of Chicago.
For this study, Ferguson takes a drug twice a day that restricts the blood flow to his tumors. It does not destroy the tumors, but it stops them from spreading, at least for now.
"I've been told that if the tumors start spreading again I'll be dropped from the program, because that means the drugs have stopped working," he said.
Though the study is helping, Ferguson wanted to do what he could to further research on his ailment, so he took things into his own hands.
"I decided that I would raise my own money, and the National Foundation for Cancer Research told me that if I could raise $50,000 they would look into getting a research grant and get it started," he said.
Since early July, Ferguson, has been raising money online. He has gotten more than 100 donations so far, totaling nearly $15,000. Most of the donations have been around $50, though he said he's seen donations as small as $5 and one donation of $1,000.
Though he appreciates all the donations, Ferguson is looking for someone to really put their weight behind his cause and donate a big portion of his goal.
"I need basically somebody to donate a pretty good chunk," he said. "It's tough to find an advocate, and that's what I need. Somebody who's willing to be a spokesman for anaplastic thyroid cancer."
According to NFCR spokesman Silas Deane, these types of funds are called "Hope Funds." The NFCR will take Ferguson's funds and give them to a researcher who will work specifically on anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Ferguson, meanwhile, is concentrating on raising the money as fast as he can.
"If it is too late for me, maybe (it's) not for some of the other people who suffer from what I have," he said. "I can't just sit back not do anything."
To donate, Ferguson's website is funds.gofundme.com/DennisFerguson/Anaplasticcancerresearchfund.