THE DETERMINED fund-raising efforts of the family of a Rugby woman who beat cancer against the odds when she was a child have helped two charities fund vital new research.
Sofia Dwyer’s family started fund-raising after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in June 2017, when she was just 11.
Her dad Conor said Sofia was a ‘normal, happy 11-year-old girl’ before her diagnosis – but after she became unusually tired on a camping trip, blood tests showed that she had AML, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
Conor said: “Sofia’s cancer journey was incredibly tough. Her treatment lasted six months and included aggressive chemotherapy, alongside three life-threatening episodes of sepsis.
“There were moments where we didn’t know if she would pull through. But throughout it all, Sofia showed remarkable courage. Even early on, she wanted to help others.”
Sofia decided to donate her hair to make wigs for other children who lose their hair because of treatment.
And, in 2017, her family set up Super Sofia, a Special Named Fund at CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association which raises money for research into AML.
Conor said: “Because Sofia’s leukaemia was rare, the medicine she received was only available as part of a clinical trial. We quickly realised that, without research funding, those treatment options simply wouldn’t exist.
“Fund-raising became our way of turning fear into action – and helping other children who might one day face the same diagnosis.”
Now 20 and working in a pub, as well as volunteering in an RSPCA charity shop, Sofia has put her fund towards two new leukaemia research projects.
The funding is part of a £600,000 collaboration between CCLG and Blood Cancer UK, with the projects being led by Dr Samanta Mariani at the University of Edinburgh and Dr Karen Keeshan at the University of Glasgow.
Dr Mariani’s project aims to develop more targeted and effective treatments, while Dr Keeshan’s focuses on new and kinder treatments.
Conor said he was ‘incredibly proud’ to be part of the collaboration.
He said: “When Sofia was diagnosed, her survival odds were just 20 per cent. The only reason she survived was because research – and trial treatments – already existed. So, seeing two new leukaemia research projects funded gives us enormous hope.”
Conor thanked Super Sofia’s supporters, adding: “To the researchers, we want to say how much your work matters to families like ours. Behind every trial and breakthrough are real children relying on what you discover next.
“Sofia is here today because of research. That’s the impact you’re making.”
Ashley Ball-Gamble, Chief Executive of CCLG, said: “By working together, we can accelerate funding for the most promising childhood cancer research and move faster toward breakthroughs for these young patients.”
Dr Richard Francis, Deputy Director of Research at Blood Cancer UK, added: “Funding innovative research like this is so vital. It’s only possible because of the determination of families and supporters who refuse to accept that current treatments are good enough.”
Visit specialnamedfunds.cclg.org.uk/super-sofia to support Super Sofia.
