Friends Reunite to Fight Cancer

As Robin Ferguson, a nursing assistant trainer, stood in front of her classroom, she received a call that brought her to her knees. While Robin’s doctor explained to her that she had breast cancer, her students, the ones that she’d been teaching to be compassionate, caring, and kind nursing assistants, surrounded her with positivity and reassured her that she would overcome this unexpected battle.

After hearing this gut-wrenching diagnosis, Robin picked herself up and made an appointment at GBMC, despite living outside of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania. This was an easy choice for her as GBMC had been her go-to hospital for previous procedures. Robin decided GBMC was the best place for her during the cancer journey she was about to begin.

Walking into her first appointment with Dr. Lauren Schnaper of The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Robin ran into an old friend, Lisa, who was an oncology nurse at GBMC. When Lisa realized why Robin was there, she immediately dropped what she was doing and took Robin to meet the staff, nurses, and doctors within the Breast Care Center while giving her a run-through of what to expect in the coming months.

Through the initial appointments, surgery preparation, a lumpectomy, and recovery, Lisa never left Robin’s side, both as a nurse and a friend. When Robin faced her next phase of treatment, it was Lisa who was the nurse assigned to administer chemotherapy.

While everyone might not be as lucky to find themselves a Lisa, Robin explained that, “No matter the doctor or nurse you are working with, they all have the same kind and caring demeanor and provided you with all of your treatment options. Because at the end of the day, it is my life I was fighting for.”

On September 28th, Robin and her family will join Lisa, doctors and nurses, and other cancer survivors at the 19th annual Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs. Join us with your friends and family from across the region for steeplechase races, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and more! All proceeds benefit the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC. Purchase your parking pass now at LegacyChase.org.