When asked to describe Sophie, her mother’s eyes lit up and with a smile on her face, “Sophia is sunshine. She is full of laughter and joy, loves princesses and everything else a little girl does.” Sophia Rossetti passed away at the early age of 6 due to hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and one organization that brings about support for local families going through childhood cancer is For The Love of Sophie. Through her vivacious spirit for life, Sophia Rossetti brought joy to all those she encountered. That spirit remains through the work of the foundation formed in her memory by her parents, Denise and Dan Rossetti.
During their journey and after Sophia’s passing, Dan and Denise wanted to focus on three aspects they felt could use more support. Cancer affects the entire family and during their journey, so many gave to them and they felt a duty to give back. Dan is an entrepreneur and understood the burden it places on a family to want to be at the appointments and treatments and also need to make a living. Knowing no family should have to choose between the two, they use funds raised to support other local families going through a similar journey as they traveled.
In order to support this mission, the organization hosts an event that brings some of Sophia’s favorite things to life. The "Fairy Tale Ball" is held the first Friday in June at Colonie Central High School in Colonie, New York. The multi-use gymnasium is transformed to look like a scene out of a Hans Christian Andersen novel. For the low price of $20 per family (no matter the size of the family), children and adults alike can wear their most royal attire and enjoy a night of dancing, face painting, sweets, and more.
In addition to supporting local families, For The Love of Sophie raises funds for St. Baldrick’s Foundation. All proceeds from the sales of “Sunnies for Sophie” help to further education and research in childhood cancers, especially hypodiploid ALL. Lastly, the organization’s final focal point is to support the medical community in being able to provide more quality of life care. Through funds raised at “The Event” hosted in September, For The Love of Sophie supports the Journeys Program at Albany Medical Center.
The most important message that Denise can share to anyone who knows someone on this journey is “patience; be patient because they are all fumbling.” While this foundation holds Sophia’s name, it is the journey of the entire family of nine that has helped form the vision it holds today. For more information on For The Love of Sophie, their events, or to find out how you can support Childhood Cancer Awareness, visit their website or find them on Facebook.
