Welcome to our Sophia's Hope Fundraising Page for Camp Sunshine in memory of Sophia Langford.

To the left, there is a video of a special girl named Sophia Langford. She is our hero.

My name is Shirley, who had the pleasure of being Sophia's mommy. Sophia was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, anaplastic medulloblastoma, when she was only 2 1/2 years old. She fought hard for 20 months before becoming an angel at the young age of four. Cancer tried to rob her of her childhood, but Camp Sunshine played an important part in making sure she had wonderful childhood experiences in the middle of terrible treatments. We are forever grateful to Camp Sunshine for the happiness they brought Sophia. In Sophia's words: "It is a fun and happy place." She loved Camp Sunshine. We want to give back to this organization that gives so much to children fighting cancer and their families.

I am joined by friends Lisa Strohsnitter, Kristi Daughtridge Lawrence, and J.P. Lawrence in this effort to give back to Camp Sunshine in memory of Sophia. On November 6th, 2010, we will be running a 5K race to honor Sophia's brave fight. We would appreciate any small donation to help us reach our fundraising goal. 

Here is a list of what Camp Sunshine has done for Sophia and our family:

• -Sophia loved their preschool music classes which we attended two times a month.
• -Sophia made sweet friends her age also fighting cancer through Camp Sunshine's programs.
• -We met other families going through the same thing we were going through at Family nights where we all gathered for dinner and group therapy. 
• -The families we met through Camp Sunshineshared valuable tips, shared common experiences, and provided a wonderful blanket of support
• -Sophia loved their seasonal preschool gatherings like apple picking, Easter egg hunting, and fall festivals.
• -Sophia always wanted to go fishing. We attended family camp where she got to go fishing in addition to doing art projects, decorate cookies, pan for gems, see a campfire, roast marshmallows, and play with her best friends. It was her only camping experience, which she loved.
• -They brought art projects to her in the hospital after one of her brain surgeries during their program to bring camp to the inpatient cancer patients.
• -They gave us tickets to the Big Apple Circus. Sophia loved her first and only trip to the circus. 
• -They gave us tickets to a live Dora the Explorer show at the Fox Theater. Sophia loved Dora. She got to meet Diego and Dora before the show. She enjoyed the show a great deal. It is a wonderful memory. 
• -The staff members often visited the outpatient clinics. Whenever they saw Sophia, they always ran over with a smile to talk to her. They knew her and they cared about her. They care about all the kids in the same way.
• -After Sophia died, we began attending their family bereavement gatherings so we could meet others who also lost a child to cancer. They hold meetings once a month, which includes dinner and group therapy. 

The money you give will help Camp Sunshine continue its programs. They make a difference in the lives of the children they help. They definitely made a difference in Sophia's life. In addition to the preschool programs, they have programs for teens throughout the year in addition to a summer camp that the kids all look forward to each year. To learn more about Camp Sunshine, you can go to their website at www.mycampsunshine.com.

We will run (and hopefully not pass out!) with smiles on our faces as we remember one of the sweetest angels in heaven. 

Thank you, friends and family, for your support in our efforts. Camp Sunshine appreciates it. The children and families you help will be grateful, too.