Smiles for Sophie Forever Surpasses $200,000 in Grants

Smiles for Sophie Forever an organization founded after an Avon Lake girl who lost her life to brain cancer, reached a milestone this week.

As of June 2, it has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to organizations and families, all in the memory of Sophie Elizabeth Quayle, the 4-year-old who lost her valiant fight with brain cancer in October 2007.

The foundation is dedicated to honoring Sophie's memory by:

• Providing financial support to those families burdened by pediatric brain tumors.
• Increasing global awareness not only of pediatric brain tumors but the serious lack of money for this research.
• Providing financial support to St. Jude, where Sophie was treated, and other viable organizations committed to the treatment of pediatric brain cancer.

The foundation has awarded more than $150,000 to 115 families since 2008. The money goes directly to families fighting battles against pediatric brain cancer.

“It is important for us to support the children and their families as they face an uphill battle against brain cancer,” said Emily Quayle, Sophie’s mother. “The Foundation can’t think of any better way of remembering Sophie than to find a cure of this monstrous disease that took the life of our precious Sophie.”

The foundation gave $32,000 to The Cure Starts Now  and $15,000 to St. Jude Research Hospital.

The foundation is preparing for its largest fundraising event, the Smiles For Sophie Forever Annual Birthday Bash & Dash.

In its fourth year, this event includes a 5K for runners, a 1-mile run/walk for families and activities for the entire family. Registration for the Fourth of July event that commemorates Sophie’s birthday is open now at www.hermescleveland.com or www.smilesforsophieforever.org.

For more information, go to the foundation's web site.