Sophia is 13 going on 14 in October. She is the oldest of four children, recently earned her brown belt in karate, has excelled in school, and was prepared to begin an exciting new chapter this fall: High School.

What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a tragic and heartbreaking event. Her family planned a Disney cruise vacation to celebrate her and her siblings hard work and accomplishments. On Friday, August 28 they were supposed to board the ship and begin their vacation together. Instead the unthinkable happened and everything changed.

The morning of the cruise Sophia suffered an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) in her brain, a life-threatening medical emergency. She had to be airlifted by helicopter to Orlando, Florida, where she underwent emergency brain surgery.

In a matter of hours, a day that was supposed to begin with celebration became something none of them could have imagined.

Sophia made it through surgery, and we are incredibly grateful. She is currently receiving incredible care at Nemours Children's Hospital in Florida, surrounded by her family and the medical team caring for her.

But Sophia's recovery is only starting. She is expected to need continued medical care and rehabilitation, including physical and speech therapy, specialist appointments, follow up testing and treatments, and any other services as her doctors continue to evaluate her progress.

There are still many unknowns. We don't know how long Sophia's recovery will take or what all of her medical and rehabilitation needs will be in the weeks and months ahead.

Sophia's family is a single-income household of six. With four children to care for, the sudden expenses surrounding an emergency of this magnitude, along with the possibility of an extended recovery, therapy, specialist care, travel and other needs can quickly become an enormous financial burden.

We want Sophia's parents to be able to focus on their daughter and her recovery without also carrying the weight of wondering how they will manage every unexpected expense that comes with this journey.

We are starting this fundraiser with a goal of $50,000 to help ease that burden. Donations will help with medical and rehabilitation expenses, therapy, specialist and follow up care.

Just that morning Sophia was supposed to be stepping onto a cruise ship to celebrate everything she had accomplished. Now her family is besides her at a children's hospital, helping her begin a very different and difficult journey.

If you are able to give, any amount will make a difference. If your aren't able to donate, please consider sharing Sophia's story with others. And above all, please pray for Sophia. Pray for a complete healing and restoration, for her brain and body to recover, for strength through rehabilitation, for wisdom for the team caring for her, and for peace, provision and strength for her family.

The funds raised on behalf of my niece Sophia will go directly to her parents and beneficiaries, Israel and Janelle Fuica, to use toward Sophia’s medical care and related expenses.

Sophia will turn 14 in October, our prayer is that there are many more celebrations ahead for her: birthdays, karate milestones, school, graduations and all the ordinary, beautiful moments that should fill the years ahead.

Thank you for praying, giving, sharing and standing beside Sophia and her family.