Sophia Burfitt

Sophia was just a baby when doctors found a fast-growing tumour behind her left eye. Her parents, Liz and Pat, faced the terrifying idea that they might lose their beloved little girl. 

Sophia’s journey began when, Liz noticed Sophia had developed symptoms that were quite different from the typical daycare illnesses parents come to expect. She recalls rocking her daughter to sleep and noticing that her left eye was beginning to bulge. Doctors then discovered a massive tumour behind Sophia’s left eye. “We knew there was a mass behind her face, but we didn’t know what it was or whether any research existed for her specific cancer. We had no idea if she could be cured.”

Further tests revealed that Sophia’s cancer was a germ cell yolk sac tumour, exceptionally rare in that location. “When the oncologist told us that there was a clear treatment plan and that there was a 70 to 80% chance of survival we were filled with hope.”

Within days, she began intense chemotherapy that left her too nauseous to eat, experiencing hair loss and night terrors. “Sophia had extreme nausea and lost her hair, but the roughest part was the night terrors. She didn’t know how to process the trauma, so it came out when she was asleep. She’d wake up with horrific, blood-curdling screams.”

While the treatment appeared to be working, a final MRI showed there was still a large mass of dead cells pressing on Sophia's optic nerve. "It was another devastating blow," Liz recalls. "We had no choice but for Sophia to have surgery and risk complete paralysis of the left side of her face."

Thankfully, Sophia's surgery was successful but the tumour caused damage that's left her permanently blind in her left eye. 

Sophia is still here today - playing with her Nana's dog, obsessing about Frozen, and showering her baby brother, Hamish, with love. 

“Sophia wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for research, and we’re so very thankful. But there isn’t yet a way to help every child. I don’t want cancer to take anyone’s baby. That’s why more research is so important.” 

As they continue to advocate for the need and funding of cancer research, Liz and Pat remain committed to ensuring that no parent has to endure the same fear and uncertainty they faced. Sophia's journey highlights the importance of cancer research to improve outcomes for all children diagnosed with cancer so they can go on to live full and healthy lives.