Sofia Nagel's Stage 4 Cancer Immunotherapy Fund

From November 2020 campaign: Our beloved Sofia Nagel, my 29-year-old sister, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma. It's an aggressive cancer that spread quickly to several organs, including liver and lungs. Sofia has started immunotherapy, a game-changing treatment that's prolonged Jimmy Carter's life and offered to many hope.

"When I was in medical school, the prognosis would've been a few months," Dr. Cho told Sofia when she received the diagnosis on Friday, November 6. With immunotherapy, Sofia has a chance to achieve long-term survivorship. 

After a successful melanoma surgery in 2016 at the John Wayne Cancer Institute, Sofia moved from LA to Eugene, where Sofie was born, in large part to avoid the sun. Over the past few years, Sofia has taught yoga, worked with children with autism at Bridgeway School, and been employed as a nanny.  Sofia spent her childhood in both Eugene and Santa Barbara and her mer fiancé, Alessio Peterson, when they were students at Santa Monica College.


Treatment Plan: A Year of Immunotherapy
Leading melanoma researcher, Dr. Brendan Curti at Portland's Providence Cancer Institute, will treat Sofia with two immunotherapies. Without insurance, one immunotherapy treatment would be over $100,000 per year. Even with insurance, the costs will be overwhelming. In addition to out-of-pocket medical expenses (medications, co-pays, etc.), Sofia will need help recovering lost wages, as she is unable to work and lacks disability benefits. Dr. Curti forecasts a year of immunotherapy for Sofia. The side effects are similar to chemotherapy, and Sofia will need to take it easy for some time.

We are so grateful for all the love and support. Thank you for your love, thoughts, and prayers. Whatever you might be able to contribute, your donations will help Sofia fight for her life. 


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