Please help support the Ayers family:

Our sweet girl, Sofia Susan Ayers, needs your prayers. On 12/30/25, Sofia was diagnosed with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). Symptoms we had hoped could be attributed to post-viral Bell’s Palsy turned out to be due to a rapidly growing brain tumor located in part of her brainstem. Our hearts sank as we received this devastating news and the bleak prognosis.

Given the intricate location of this type of tumor, it is inoperable, with the standard course of treatment being 5 days a week for 6 weeks of radiation therapy and hopes of entry into clinical trials. We left the hospital the next day, scared and heartbroken.

BUT our Sofia, true to her nature, kept us laughing and gave us the strength to begin the greatest fight of our lives. For all of those who have met Sofia and know my family well, you know that she is the light of our lives and has a way about her that leaves an impression and connection with almost everyone she meets.

Over the past 9 weeks she’s awed countless doctors and medical professionals as she’s made it through multiple MRIs and 30 radiation treatments without sedation (a true feat for a 5 and half year old), full days of school after daily early morning radiation treatments, emergency brain surgery 2 weeks ago after developing hydrocephalus, car ride after car ride to various hospitals and facilities, multiple 24-hr periods of not eating or drinking without complaining, countless “needle shots”, long waits, difficult conversations and lost physical and vision abilities while still finding joy in each day. Her strength, bravery and resilience are the fuel for myself, Eric and our family to do everything we possibly can for her.

We have been blessed with an amazing support system and are so touched by all of those who have already been helping to hold us up and give us the strength we need to keep going. While some days are very hard for Sofia physically, and heavy emotionally for us, we are not losing faith and hope. I share our story today with the intention of honoring my daughter’s strength and bravery on this journey especially as we move into the next phase of treatment. We are grateful for any extra prayers and positive thoughts that can be sent Sofia’s way.

In Sofia’s very own words, we will say “Ready Steady” and move forward on a path that’s guided by her, advocates in the pediatric brain tumor space and faith.