Scholarships awarded to pediatric cancer patients at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital

Five pediatric cancer patients at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital (HFCH) at Cabell Huntington Hospital have received scholarships through the 2023 Jonathan A. Ferguson and Dr. Cheryl L. Cook Scholarship awards program.

(Left to right): Madelynn Perego, Laykin Hayes, Evan Rakes, Dr. Cheryl Cook, Thomas Ruffell, Isabella Masters

The award recipients included:

• Isabella Masters, first-time recipient and Marshall University freshman from West Hamlin, West Virginia, received $1,000.
• Madelynn Perego, first-time recipient and Smith Academy of Salon Professionals (SASPRO) first-year student from Huntington, received $500.
• Laykin Hayes, third-year recipient and Ohio University sophomore from Proctorville, Ohio, received $500.
• Evan Rakes, second-year recipient and Marshall University sophomore from Cattlettsburg, Kentucky, received $500.
• Thomas Ruffell, third-year recipient and Ellucian University senior from Winfield, West Virginia, received $500.

The Jonathan A. Ferguson and Dr. Cheryl L. Cook Scholarship was established in 2021 by Dr. Cook in honor of her husband, Jon Ferguson, who passed away after an eight-month battle with acute lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma.

This annual scholarship program offers educational support to past or present patients of the HFCH Pediatric Oncology Program, who were treated for cancer and have demonstrated their ability to succeed academically despite a challenging medical diagnosis.

“We are forever grateful for Dr. Cheryl Cook and her continued commitment to helping those in our community succeed, despite the challenges they may have faced while battling cancer,” said Kristi Arrowood, executive director of Mountain Health Foundations. “Dr. Cook has seen firsthand what families who have faced childhood cancer struggle with, and she understands how overwhelming the journey can be. She saw the need and chose to support young cancer survivors’ pursuit of higher education to build a community of support for those affected by cancer.”

(L-R): Madelynn Perego, Laykin Hayes, Evan Rakes, Dr. Paul Finch, Thomas Ruffell, Isabella Masters

“We thank Dr. Cook for recognizing the need to support young cancer survivors in our community,” said Paul Finch, MD, Marshall Health pediatric oncologist and hematologist, chief of pediatric oncology at HFCH and assistant professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “We truly appreciate her establishing the scholarship and look forward to honoring even more deserving young people in the future.”

For more information about contributing to the Jonathan A. Ferguson and Dr. Cheryl L. Cook Scholarship awards program, please contact Arrowood at Kristi.Arrowood@mhnnetwork.org or call 304.526.2009.