Acclaimed dance instructor attempts to break record with fundraiser to support pediatric cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Tom Radon, an award-winning dancer and choreographer of Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Williamsville, will offer complimentary ballroom dancing lessons to children of all ages on Saturday, May 10. As part of his efforts to help raise funds for pediatric cancer patients at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Radon asks that all participants make donations at the door to benefit Kids Create Hope: The Shane G. Ferguson, MD, Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.

The more students Radon teaches this Saturday, the better, as he is also attempting to set a new Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios® record by teaching over 200 lessons in just seven days with this inspired, inaugural Team Cure Carly's Club fundraising event.

Sari Zugermayr, Chief Organizer of the Kids Create Hope Walk, which is held each summer as an additional benefit for The Shane G. Ferguson, MD, Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, said that Radon "is just a little crazy" for attempting to teach so many classes. She added that she just learned that the number of lessons that Radon hopes to teach by noon on Saturday will boost the current record by over 60 lessons.

"Tom is such a caring person," said Zugermayr. "It doesn't matter to him how much his feet hurt at the end of the day. He knows that every dance step that he teaches this weekend will help children being treated for cancer at Roswell Park - and that's all that really matters."

Those interested in attending this Saturday's event are encouraged to pre-register at www.kidscreatehope.org, or they may come to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio (5443 Sheridan Dr.,Williamsville,NY14221) on the day of the event from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. to enjoy 30-minute, group lessons.

The Shane G. Ferguson, MD, Pediatric Cancer Research Fund was established by the family of Shane Ferguson, a Western New York pediatrician who passed away in September 2006 after a three-year battle against pancreatic cancer. Kids Create Hope was established in association with Carly's Club at RoswellPark to accomplish two goals: to support pediatric cancer research and to empower children to become proactive, giving members of society.

Carly's Club for Kids and Cancer Research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute exists to offer support programs to make life more manageable for children diagnosed with cancer and their families, and to raise funds for pediatric cancer research seeking cures at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. It was founded by Carly Cottone Collard, a brain cancer patient at RPCI, who succumbed to her cancer in August 2002 at the age of 11. Carly's Club is managed by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, an independent 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit www.CarlysClub.org or call 716-845-4100.