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Debbie Foreman is the owner of the 2013 Lamborghini Aventador that she has named the Batventador. The children on the car are our Angels Sophia, Hans, Marisa, Bailey, Malachi, and Dave and our warriors are Lilly, Ethan, and Valentina. Sophia’s parents and Bailey’s parents Matt and Julia Haney as well as their son, Jackson came out to support Childhood cancer awareness month. They are participating in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon as Team Sophia’s Buddies at Zuma beach Sept 20th. Our goal was to raise $25,000 for childhood cancer research at CHLA. To date we as a collective team have raised $41,519.00. Presenting a City Proclamation were (left) Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez and right Councilmember Jenny Crosswhite. |
Childhood Cancer Awareness:
Sophia Andrade remembered at Cruise Nite
September 11, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Cruise Nite had a special meaning to the family of Sophia Andrade Friday night where they were presented with a special proclamation noting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Sophia, whose family has deep roots in the city, was only 4 when she passed in January 2014 after a long struggle with neuroblastoma. Her illness had rallied the community, fueled fundraising and widespread support for the girl and her family.
“Anything we can do to raise awareness of pediatric cancer,” said Sophia’s mother Sandra Pearson Andrade, whose husband Jim was nearby ready to take photos of the presentation by Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez.
Drawing a crowd was the Batventador, owned by Debbie Foreman of Studio City, a 2012 Lamborghini now resplendent with Batman images and logos, as well as depictions of children who have suffered from pediatric cancer. Foreman, who was wearing her signature Batgirl costume, uses her “Batventador” to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.
Sophia loved Nemo, which became the symbol of her fight against her illness, which included numerous treatments, hospitalizations, remissions and even a declaration that the child had been cured before the cancer returned for its final bout.
Her death was a shock not only to the family but also to the entire community that had adopted the brave youngster as a symbol of happiness and hope.
Foreman and Andrade were promoting the 2015 Nautica Malibu Triathlon scheduled for September 20.
Sophia and her family were involved in the first ever triathlon which raises funds for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Pediatric Cancer Research Program. This year the goal is to raise $1 million for the program at the hospital where Sophia had been a patient.
“The first year Sophia was two and she ran across the finish line with us,” said Andrade.
Last year Andrade’s team had 20 participants and so far this year there are more than 90 people taking part in the September 20 event.
“We’ve raised $38,000 so far,” very close to the $40,000 goal.
The event, she added, “Is an emotional day but a good day for us…”
The couple welcomed a daughter, Chloe Isabella three months ago: “Sophia wanted a sister so we had one for her,” said Andrade. “We’re grateful to have her…we believe Sophia talks to Chloe,” and the couple has a book to eventually read to their daughter that addresses a loss such as theirs.
When Hernandez presented the proclamation to Andrade he noted that only 4 percent of federal funding for cancer research goes to pediatric cancer—the leading cause of death of children under age 15.
The average age of children that pass from pediatric cancer is 8 and one of five will not survive the 16 different types that afflict children.
“We’re grateful to Santa Paula,” Andrade told the crowd. “All of you supported us very much…take a moment to look at Debbie Foreman’s car. There are nine children shown…six have passed and three are our Golden Warriors,” battling the disease.
Andrade urged all to wear gold to show support of finding a cure of pediatric cancers and “to help us bring awareness…you cherish your children,” and childhood cancer can strike at any time.
Donations to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles can be made online: www.chla.org
Over 5,000 people will participate in the 2015 Nautica Triathlon to support Pediatric Cancer Research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles! For more information or to make a donation visit: http://www.nauticamalibutri.com
