Saving Sophia: N.S. community rallies to support girl with inoperable brain tumour
Sophia MacInnis and her family are still opening Christmas cards in March -- that’s because this holiday, they received over 600 in a single day.
“I personally stopped counting at over 1,800 cards,” said Sophia’s mother, Amy MacInnis. “We read every card to her.”
“Sophia is an animal lover,” said Sophia’s father, Ian MacInnis. “A lot of people sent us pictures of their pets too which she enjoyed.”
The greetings were all in an effort to lift Sophia’s spirit after a devastating discovery.
In August 2022, the 10-year-old girl from Lower Sackville, N.S., was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
The condition currently has a zero-per cent chance of survival.
“When they told me what it was I couldn’t even listen,” said Amy. “I didn’t want to know what it was.”
Sophia immediately underwent 30 rounds of back-to-back radiation. They had to wait six weeks to undergo another MRI. In November 2022, they were told the treatment was unsuccessful.
“There’s no clinical trials in Canada, so there’s no other treatment other than radiation,” explained Amy.
Desperate for options, her parents looked to other countries for support.
They discovered a clinical drug trial in Rochester, New York. Sophia was approved immediately, said Amy.
“The drug company had the final say on whether or not she would get the drug,” said Amy. “An hour and a half after meeting with the doctor, she was approved. The doctor said they’d never had anyone approved that quickly.”
The treatment plan requires Sophia and her family to return to the U.S. every eight weeks for appointments and a re-supply of medication. On top of the travel costs are Sophia’s accessibility needs for accommodations and transportation.
“For her to be without extra legroom on the airplane is pretty excruciating as well because her legs stiffen up,” said Amy. “We did have to go fairly last minute this time and the trip cost about $8,000.”
When Coady MacNeil of Southland Transportation heard about Sophia’s story, he jumped in to organize several fundraisers for the family.
“Our entire team has rallied around the MacInnis family to help,” said MacNeil.
The company is hosting a Stuff the Bus Bottle Drive for Sophia on Saturday. There will be five drop-off points across the HRM where people can drop off bottles and donations.
“We’re hoping after St. Patrick’s Day that people will have lots of empty bottles to return,” said MacNeil. “Every donation counts.”
In addition to the bottle drive, the company has also arranged a bowling fundraiser on Saturday, March 25.
Sophia’s story is resonating around the world. She received a signed jersey from hockey superstar Brad Marchand as well as a video message from her favourite band, Imagine Dragons.
“We see how much Sophia means to people and everyone wants to help her,” said Amy. “We’re so grateful to the community for their support.”
Southland Transportation’s Stuff the Bus Bottle Drive for Sophia will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the following locations:
- Royal LePage Anchor Realty -- 405 Sackville Drive
- Atlantic Superstore Sackville Drive -- 745 Sackville Drive
- Atlantic Superstore Bedford Highway -- 1650 Bedford Highway
- Atlantic Superstore Portland Street -- 650 Portland Street
- 764 Bedford Highway Bus Yard (Beside Esquire Restaurant)
To follow Sophia’s journey and learn of other fundraising efforts, visit the Help Sophia Smile Facebook page or GoFundMe page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
New analysis of Beethoven's hair reveals possible cause of mysterious ailments, scientists say
High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.