MAGGIE SHAW

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Letter from Maggie's Dad

Photos of 2000 San Juan County Fair horse events

Maggie to ride in San Juan County Fair

posted 08/01/02
Maggie Shaw, who wowed islanders with her determination after losing most of a leg to cancer, will be plans to ride a horse in the San Juan County Fair Aug. 14-17. She will be using her new, prosthetic leg designed especially for equestrian riding.

During the 2001 San Juan County Fair, islanders learned of Maggie's operation and her determination to ride again. They raised thousands of dollars for her equestrian leg.

From her Stanwood home, Maggie's grandmother Patti Saad, reports Maggie has been riding with a walking prosthetic, working through extreme pain and discomfort. That should decrease greatly when she rides with her new equestrian leg in the Stanwood-Camano Island Fair Aug. 2-4.

"Without the help of the community and friends this would not be possible," Grandma Patti said. "Many thanks again for making this possible. See you at the fair."

Maggie Shaw fund reaches its goal

posted 10/25/01
A $2,900 check from firefighters put the finishing touch on the Maggie Shaw fund Monday, Oct. 22. "This check put us over the top," said BIll Shaw, Maggie's father. The fund was started in July to raise money to pay for a prosthetic leg suitable for equestrian activities.

The 14-year-old Friday Harbor girl was made an honorary firefighter during a ceremony Monday. Her helmut and turnout coat will hang in the Friday Harbor Fire Hall.

The money was raised through a pancake breakfast held August 4 by the Friday Harbor firefighters and the firefighters of San Juan Co. No 3.

Another firefighters pancake breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to noon November 10 in the Friday Harbor Fire Hall. Proceeds from this event will benefit the fund for Rich Vinson-Cardinell, a firefighter from Orcas who is currently battling cancer. The firefighters wish to thank the community once again for it's continued outstanding support in its fund raising activities.

Roche Harbor Raffle
Raises $15,976 for Maggie Shaw Fund

posted 09/17/01
Roche Harbor's month-long raffle raised $15,976.00 for the Maggie Shaw fund. The winning ticket for the Roche Harbor two night vacation worth over $1,000.00, belonged to Dennis Green. He is a permanent moorage guest at Roche Harbor aboard M/V Estiva. Maggie’s younger brother William drew the winning ticket on Labor Day. Donations continued to come in after the raffle.

Roche Harbor’s Julie Curley, Harbormaster’s Assistant, spearheaded the raffle, and was often seen in her fundraising mode, going from yacht to yacht. "Everyone I approached made a donation and was happy to help," said Curley. Raffle tickets were also sold to Roche Harbor guests and neighbors at the front desk and General Store, as well as in town at Tookie’s Hair Design, and by the affiliated Bits & Spurs 4-H group in Stanwood/Camano Island.

Roche Harbor would like to recognize its most generous contributors: Randy & Maureen Crowley of Venwest Yachts and Sonship yacht owners, Guard Electric, Wayne &Cynthia Griffin, Doreen Atkinson, Dick & Maureen LaPorte, and Mike & Jackie Schmidt.

For more information on how to make a donation to the Maggie Shaw Fund contact Debbie Sandwith at 360.378.5498 or e-mail: sandwith@rockisland.com. Roche Harbor is currently discussing another fund raising idea with Sandwith.

Maggie plans to be back in the saddle today

posted 08/16/01
Two weeks ago surgeons removed Maggie Shaw's cancerous right leg. Today the 14-year-old plans to get back in the saddle, riding in the horse games at the San Juan County Fair.

"I love riding. I'm very determined," she said of her decision to quickly return to the arena.

Maggie's doctor prefers she wait a bit before climbing back in the saddle. That made her father nervous. Maggie's father, Bill Shaw, and her physician knew trying to rein in Maggie was like trying to tame a wild bronc.

"Nothing slows her down," Bill Shaw said.

Dozens of her friends, including some on a Friday Harbor Fire Department engine, welcomed Maggie home yesterday at the Friday Harbor ferry landing and escorted her to the San Juan County Fairgrounds. There Debbie Sandwith, the Voice of the Horse Events, announced the avid equestrian's return. Maggie's friends took a break from their gaming and chores to hug their fellow 4-Her. Her fellow riders shed tears, but Maggie, on crutches with a cast was upbeat, thrilled to be back with family, friends and her equine pals.

"I'm just glad to be home," Maggie said.

She checked on her horses Ajax and Dee Dee. The veteran equestrian even offered some advice to Jesse Saad, a relative who is riding Dee Dee.

Maggie also thanked the many islanders who have donated toward a sports prostheses designed specifically for horse riding. "I'm very grateful," she said.

Roche Harbor raffle
to benefit Maggie

posted 08/16/01
Raffle tickets for a Roche Harbor Village vacation package are being sold at the Roche Harbor marina office, grocery store or Hotel De Haro's front desk. The proceeds from the raffle will go towards the Maggie Shaw fund.

The package includes:

• Two nights in the McMillin Suite or two nights free moorage.
• Breakfast and lunch each day in the Lime Kiln Cafe.
• Dinner each night in the McMillin Restaurant
• $50 gift certificate to the Roche Harbor Gift Shop
• $50 gift certificate to the Roche Harbor Sportswear Boutique
• $50 gift certificate to the Roche Harbor Grocery Store
• Choice of a Whale Watch Trip or Kayak Trip during peak season.

The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. September 3 on the Roche Harbor Marina Party Barge. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win. The tickets cost $1 each.

Update on Maggie

posted 08/03/01
Readers have been responding with offers of help and support for Maggie Shaw, the 14-year-old San Juan Island girl who had her leg amputated Wednesday. Debbie Sandwith, organizer of the drive to raise funds for an equestrian leg for the avid 4-Her, said she has heard from people around the country. Among the callers is a woman who has an artificial leg and competes in equestrian events on a national level. Sandwith was with the family at Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle on Wednesday. She said Maggie came through the surgery well and is expected to remain in the hospital for seven to 10 days.

The 4-H Horse Rangers held a Car Wash/Bake Sale Saturday, Aug. 4 at Key Bank on Orcas Island. The Friday Harbor Firefighters Association held a pancake breakfast Aug. 4. Proceeds from both events went to the Maggie Shaw fund.

Donation information

The fund for Maggie Shaw is being set up through the 4-H Foundation. Donations can be made directly to the WA State 4-H Foundation (a nonprofit corporation) in the the name of Maggie Shaw.

Washington State 4-H Foundation
7612 E. Pioneer Way
Puyallup WA 98371-4998

Donations can also be made online at http://4h.wsu.edu/foundation

Donations can also be dropped off at the WSU extension office at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center on San Juan Island. The center is located above the airport at 221 Weber Way.

Questions about donations can be e-mailed to Linus Tumbleson, director of the WA State 4-H Foundation, at tumbles@wsu.edu.

The tax-exempt ID number (EIN) for the WA State 4-H Foundation is: 91-6055395

Accounts have also been set up at Islanders Bank and at Washington Mutual Bank.

Teen with cancer
needs islanders’ help to ride again

By Matt Pranger

posted 07/31/01
Maggie Shaw is determined to ride high in the saddle again but the 13-year-old San Juan Island girl needs a boost.

Surgeons will remove Maggie’s cancerous right leg Wednesday, Aug. 1. The San Juan Island girl’s insurance company will only pay for a standard prosthetic leg. If the avid equestrian wants to compete after the surgery, she’ll need a special prosthetic limb. And that will cost more than $38,000.

"Maggie wants to ride again. She will ride again. And with our community’s help she’ll ride sooner," said Debbie Sandwith, who is organizing a fund-raiser for Maggie’s "equestrian leg."

An account is being established in Maggie Shaw’s name at Islanders Bank, Box 909, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Donations also will be collected at the San Juan County Fair. For more information, call Debbie Sandwith at 360-378-5498.

"The community is already responding," Sandwith said.

Maggie began showing horses at age 3 and has competed in many dressage and gaming competitions since. As a Bits & Spurs 4-H member, she’s competed in several San Juan County Fairs, shows in Stanwood, and represented San Juan County at the Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup last year.

"Maggie’s attitude and courage is just incredible," said Jill Bull, noting the young equestrian never showed signs of battling cancer while performing.

While her friends are guiding their mounts over rails and around barrels, Maggie will be negotiating six weeks of physical therapy. And, though there’s never a sure bet with cancer, doctors say there is only a 3 to 4 percent chance of Maggie’s cancer returning, Sandwith said.

Although Maggie won’t be able to compete in this year’s San Juan County Fair, her fellow riders and their supporters won’t forget her: They plan to wear yellow ribbons bearing Maggie’s name.

Sharon Kivisto and Matt Pranger
can be reached:
phone: 360.378.3748      fax: 360.378.9748
by e-mail: news@sanjuanislander.com

by mail: San Juan Islander
PO Box 1118
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA

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