{"id":171,"date":"2017-05-31T21:29:25","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T21:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidscancercare.ab.ca\/annual-report-2017\/?p=171"},"modified":"2024-02-20T17:01:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T17:01:03","slug":"sofias-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidscancercare.ab.ca\/annual-report-2017\/sofias-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"sofia’s choice"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cMy hair has never been cut and what hair I have has taken my whole life to grow and I love it very much. Now, my brother Rand is losing his hair, so it\u2019s time for me to lose mine in support of him and other children with cancer. While this might seem scary, losing hair is one of the least scary things Rand is facing.\u201d \u2013 Sofia Smith<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It was the ultimate gesture of love and one that captured the hearts and imagination of people everywhere.<\/p>\n

When Sofia Smith first told her father she wanted to shave her head to raise money for cancer, he tried to talk her out of it. But Dallas Smith quickly realized there was no deterring his nine-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n

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Rand at the hospital<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Five years ago, Sofia lost her mother Tatiana Smith to cancer and she had just learned that her 14-year-old brother now had cancer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I heard Rand, that he had cancer, I didn’t really like the sound,\u201d says Sofia. \u201cI thought, \u2018Well, is there something I can do?\u2019”<\/p>\n

Sofia decided to fight back in the only way she could. On April 21, she joined fellow students and teachers at Elboya School\u2019s fifth triennial Shave Your Lid for a Kid<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup> event. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Sofia shaved her head and raised over $25,000 in honor of her mother and brother.<\/p>\n

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Seventy brave shavees from Elboya School helped raise over $75,000 for Kids Cancer Care<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With 70 individuals shaving their lids and raising funds, Elboya School hosted one of its largest shaves ever. Together, the students and teachers raised $76,683, bringing their total fundraising revenue over 15 years to $451,683.<\/p>\n

\u201cElboya began fundraising for Kids Cancer Care as a way to give back to those in need,\u201d said Melanie Hunchak, a teacher at Elboya. \u201cNow it has turned into a tradition that, every three years, students, teachers and parents look forward to. This year is particularly important, as we have a student whose family recognizes just how important Kids Cancer Care is.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A proud Sofia after shaving her head and raising over $25,000<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the razor drew perfect lines over Sofia\u2019s head and the blonde tuffs fell, a rush of emotion overcame the little girl. She steadily wiped away the tears, as her father whispered words of encouragement in her ear.<\/p>\n

Her brother Rand watched in awe as his little sister courageously sacrificed her hair in an act of love and solidarity for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe she did it,\u201d he says, removing his baseball cap. \u201cNow I\u2019m not the only one with no hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel really good,\u201d Sofia beamed afterwards. \u201cIt makes me feel good, because I’m doing it for someone I really love.”<\/p>\n

rand\u2019s journey<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Rand\u2019s prognosis is good, but he and his family still face a long, uphill battle. The demands of childhood cancer take an enormous toll on the child and the family. These demands are especially taxing for single parents like Dallas, who is caring for Rand at the hospital, while raising kids, running a household and working full-time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exhausting, to tell you the truth,\u201d he says. \u201cWe were so grateful when Mary and Jenna from Kids Cancer Care<\/a> showed up at our door with all these home-cooked meals<\/a>. It was one less thing to have to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n

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An emotional Rand and Sofia hug after the shave event<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still, Dallas is quick to point out that he isn\u2019t shouldering it completely alone: \u201cIf there was ever something good to come of a blended family, it is now. Rand has a lot of people who love and care for him. His mother Kendra rotated weeks on and off at the hospital with me, so we both got regular breaks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rand and all his siblings, including Sofia Smith, Ashton (13) and Elise (6) Strube from his mom\u2019s second marriage with Travis Strube, have been deeply affected by his cancer. And, of course, both families actively supported Sofia\u2019s head shave with generous donations.<\/p>\n

After celebrating Rand\u2019s last chemo treatment in May, Rand and his siblings are looking forward to some outdoor fun and adventure at Camp Kindle.<\/p>\n

\u201cKids Cancer Care has been very good to us,\u201d says Dallas. \u201cWe enjoyed Pizza Nights<\/a> at the hospital and now the kids are all registered for summer camp. We are so grateful for their support and we\u2019re thrilled to be able to offer something in return.\u201d<\/p>\n

What started as a $500-stretch goal for Sofia, turned into a media and fundraising extravaganza with news agencies across the globe covering the story of the little girl from Calgary girl who surrendered her hair for her brother.<\/p>\n

Thank you, Elboya School! Your steadfast support continues to inspire countless young people in Calgary. Your shave event demonstrates that KIDS CAN make a difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Thank you, Sofia! Your love and compassion is moving mountains of support for children with cancer everywhere. <\/strong><\/p>\n