Soph Braving the Shave for Ovarian Cancer Research

Hi beautiful people of Sophie’s World ❤️

In early June 2024, my family were hit with the horrendous news that my grandma had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

My grandma is one of the most remarkable people I have ever had the honour to know and the privilege to love.

In the thirty two years of my life, and in the decades prior, my Grandma has spent tens of thousands of hours volunteering and supporting her community.

She has supported her close and extended networks through everything from death to divorce to illness to poverty to child-raising to domestic violence.

I have never known anyone to have dedicated their life to the service of others like my Grandma has, with genuine humility, grace and no expectation of anything in return…

In typical Grandma style, she underestimates the impact of her countless hospital and home visits, meals prepared for those in need, letters written to prisoners, decades of religious education classes to primary school children, coordinating social groups for older people, contributing enormously to the life of her church and the thousands upon thousands of hours of supportive conversations and prayers she has had with countless people, listening with compassion, patience, wisdom and faith.

The number of people my grandma has loyally supported, often at their most vulnerable times, and the depth and reach of her impact over the last 85 years is immeasurable… And a remarkable feat for one person to have done so much and so deep a good.

She has been there with me through my every breath, been my rock, my biggest cheerleader, my strength to keep going - and my hero.

For Grandma to be facing ovarian cancer at all, but especially at the age of 85, is more than unfair, and the word ‘devastated’ doesn’t come close to how I or those closest to her are feeling.

Our family are facing a very difficult journey, and it is my mission to be there for her every step of the way, wherever it may go, and to do all I can to support this cause.

With that said, I am turning 33 on September 13th, and I have decided to use this opportunity to start a birthday fundraiser for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, to contribute towards the research so urgently needed for early detection, treatments and a cure.

No family should be where mine are now. Too many are. And I want to do what I can to change that.

On September 17th, just after my birthday, I am going to be shaving my head in a bold statement of awareness-raising for this devastating condition - and would hugely appreciate the support of the community in contributing toward my fundraising goal of $5,000 by my 33rd birthday, September 13th.

Any contribution you feel you could make towards this cause would mean the world to me, no matter how seemingly small ❤️

It is extremely difficult to only be able to do so much for this beautiful person who I love behind measure - but if raising both awareness and funds towards a cure is something I can do - I will - reaching out to community with bells on, and scissors out ❤️

Much much love

Sophie

Xx

PS: If anyone out there has the mad skills to knit me or Grandma a brightly coloured beanie, that’d be much appreciated too! Xx