Events and Fundraisers

Leukemia Survivor’s Team Raises Almost $10,000 for Childhood Cancer Research

by Erinn Jessop, St. Baldrick's Foundation
November 24, 2014

St. Baldrick’s Honored Kid Sofia was just 2 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Now, four years later, she’s a vibrant first grader with her very own St. Baldrick’s team, Sofia’s Shaves Saves, which raised a whopping $9,697 for childhood cancer research during their first St. Baldrick’s event. Help Sofia’s team reach their 2015 fundraising goal. Donate today.

Sofia and her brother at a St. Baldrick's event in Bellmore, New York

Sofia, who was diagnosed with cancer when she was 2 years old, and her brother attended a St. Baldrick’s event in Bellmore, New York.

Sofia was diagnosed with cancer when she was two years old.

Sofia helped name her St. Baldrick’s team, Sofia’s Shaves Saves, which raised almost $10,000 for childhood cancer research.

Sofia enjoys crafting jewelry, reading, and playing with her friends. The 6-year-old also appreciates a good steak — so much so that her grandfather took her to a nice steakhouse for her birthday.

“She’s very fancy, Sofia,” her mother, Jennifer, said. “Very fancy.”

Sofia is currently in maintenance after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia two weeks after her second birthday and right before her little brother was born.

“I was 28 weeks pregnant with my son, and I had no idea what was happening…it was so devastating and confusing,” Jennifer said.

Once the 2-year-old girl was diagnosed, everything was a blur. Sofia’s port was inserted just days after her diagnosis and she started a 29-month course of treatment under the care of St. Baldrick’s Scholar Dr. Jonathan Fish.

Four years later, Sofia doesn’t remember much about her experience, since she was so young when she was in treatment. But she did know that she wanted to save other kids from cancer by fundraising with her St. Baldrick’s team, Sofia’s Shaves Saves, which she named with a bit of help from mom.

Sofia's brother, Christopher, shaved in his sister's honor

Sofia’s brother, Christopher, shaved in her honor. He plans on shaving again next year alongside his father.

Sofia’s team, made up of family and friends, joined the event in Bellmore, New York, which was held in the gym at Mepham High School. During the event, Christopher cuddled in his mom’s lap and braved the shave in honor of his big sister.

“She was totally into it. She and my son actually loved the festivities,” Jennifer said.

But Sofia’s team isn’t done yet. They’ve already started fundraising for the 2015 event and Sofia’s dad will be going bald too.

Because she doesn’t remember much of the time when she was sick, sometimes Sofia gets confused about why she’s being celebrated.

“We just tell her that we do this because she kicked cancer’s butt and that she was brave and strong and people deserve to know that,” Jennifer said.

Celebrate Sofia and help Sofia’s Shaves Saves reach their 2015 fundraising goal. Donate now.

Fund research

Read more stories from the St. Baldrick’s blog:


Share: