May 17, 2015

At last Thursday's town meetings, students were introduced to first grader Sophie in a new light. When Sophie was eight weeks old she was diagnosed with Leukemia. For the first year of her life, she lived at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to be treated for this disease. Now, six years cured of her cancer, she is speaking out to help other children diagnosed with Leukemia and their families to help cure this disease.

Sophie read a book to the school, No More Cancer for Me, which described the journey of a young boy and his family through the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of his disease. She was so brave reading to students in Kindergarten through Eighth grade! After the reading, Sophie's parents, Walt and Hillary, talked about Sophie's treatment and answered questions from the children. 

Many students at Swain had heard about cancer and chemotherapy, but did not understand what those terms meant. In an accessible and appropriate way, the family shared the struggles that children with cancer go through - some even going to school in the hospital because their immune systems are very fragile during treatment.

This year, Sophie was chosen as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Girl of the Year. She is being honored for her battle with cancer for her strength and wonderful attitude. Her family is speaking on behalf of the families still living with this disease in the hopes to raise money for finding a cure. One million children in the United States are battling cancer - Sophie and her family are working to help these children and their families so they do not have to face the challenges and decisions that they were forced to.

In last week's Friday folders, you received a flyer on Sophie's fund raiser. We hope you will visit her website and help her in the fight against childhood Leukemia. Thank you!