Support Sophia and her Family Through Her Recovery

On November 24th, 2024 the Casciaro Family was faced with the unthinkable... 10 year old Sophia was playing hockey and had to be taken off of the ice when her legs wouldn't support her body. The next evening Sophia presented with flu like symptoms, until her speech and mobility were affected. What the Casciaro Family came to discover was that Sophia had suffered multiple strokes over the course of 48 hours. She underwent surgery to remove a 1cm clot from her Vertebral artery. Sophia has remained positive, and has had the support of her amazing family by her side each step of the way.

As Sophia continues to heal, there are and will continue to be various costs associated with her ongoing care. From the expenses of daily parking at the hospital, to the costs of traveling between cities for specialized care, to the impact on the family's ability to work while caring for Sophia, every day presents new financial challenges. These practical concerns add to the emotional weight the family is already carrying. Every day, they face the task of balancing Sophia's treatment with the need to stay strong for her, all while managing the stresses that come with being away from home, juggling work, and maintaining a sense of normalcy for their family.

Sophia was in the PICU at McMaster, and is now moved to a room as she awaits her transfer to Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. She has made tremendous progress, and is now able to sit up on her own, and stand unassisted for short periods of time. This little warrior has had to learn how to communicate, eat, and become mobile again.

The family is grateful for the outpouring of support from their community, which has been crucial in helping them navigate the financial and emotional hurdles of this journey. Contributions, whether financial or emotional, have lightened their load, and the family is deeply appreciative of every gesture of kindness. However, the financial implications will continue to be a significant challenge as Sophia’s rehabilitation progresses and the costs of specialized care and travel add up.

If you would like to help, donations to the Casciaro Family’s fundraising efforts are one of the most direct ways to alleviate some of the financial strain. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps ease the burden they are facing. In addition to financial donations, the family welcomes messages of encouragement, as they continue to draw strength from the love and support surrounding them. Together, we can help Sophia’s family as they walk beside her on this difficult, but hopeful, path to recovery.