Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
recognizes impact of Sophia
September 10, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month was recognized at the September 3 City Council meeting that noted a loss felt by the entire community.
Councilman Ralph Fernandez presented the proclamation to Sandra Andrade, whose husband Jim was in the audience.
Their 4-year-old daughter Sophia Andrade - whose cancer battle was embodied by her favorite animated character, Nemo - died abruptly in January, after a long struggle with neuroblastoma.
Fernandez said in the United States 36 children are diagnosed each day with cancer; one of five will not survive the disease, which includes dozens of different types of pediatric cancer.
Childhood cancer strikes families indiscriminately and is by far the leading cause of death of children under 15 years old.
Two-thirds of those who survive cancer said Fernandez have lasting chronic conditions resulting from treatment.
“More than a classroom of kids a day,” about 13,500 children are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.
“Cancer kills more children - like little Sophia Andrade - than all other childhood diseases combined,” with some cancers terminal upon diagnoses, but Fernandez said awareness and funding of pediatric cancer is lacking.
In the past quarter century only two new drugs for childhood cancer have been developed and research funding is miniscule when compared to adult cancers.
Subsequently, said Fernandez, “It is critically important to conduct research and increase awareness... cancer occurs in every family,” even his own, as Sandra Andrade is Fernandez’s niece.
“It’s one of those things that no one expects to happen, but it does,” and Fernandez said it is vitally important to raise awareness and funding to fight pediatric cancer.
“We must alleviate this,” he added, “We would all be better for that... “
Sandra Andrade thanked the council and noted last year during September she had also appeared on behalf of Childhood Cancer Month.
“I came and I was very emotional primarily because at the time Sophia was showing symptoms of relapse... that that was occurring was very much at the forefront of my mind, it spoke to all of my fears.”
She displayed several necklaces: “Sophia’s beads of courage... there are close to 2,000 and each bead represents some sort of treatment she went through during her 2 1/2 years of treatment. It’s quite heavy... we hoped she would not remember her journey with her being so young,” so the beads were intended to tell her later of her battle with cancer.
The beads will remain unshared with her daughter but show what other families are facing and “How devastating it can be... 46 children will be diagnosed today and some will be joining Sophia in Heaven.”
Sophia, added Andrade, “Is not the only Golden Warrior, which I liked to call her,” and that other children in Santa Paula and throughout Ventura County are battling childhood cancer.
She urged people to become involved from wearing a gold ribbon to show support to offering financial aid to programs, hospitals and research organizations to donating crayons, to Make A Wish and blood.
“Our kids go through a lot of blood,” with multiple transfusions.
Mayor Rick Cook, a cancer survivor, said children have an “upbeat” attitude while batting the disease and Sophia had her struggles, “Although a sad thing for the community, brought us all together and a lot closer,” as well as more aware of the disease.
It’s “a tribute” to the Andrades said Fernandez that they have stayed involved in the fight against pediatric cancer: “I’m really proud and say thank you for raising funds,” and awareness.
Andrade said the state now also proclaims September Childhood Cancer Month.
“Our community was so supportive through our journey, and,” she added, “we are so grateful to live in Santa Paula”
