Three years ago, my best friend Janet delivered heartbreaking news: her daughter Sophia had been having seizures, and an MRI confirmed that she had at least two brain lesions. It was shocking and terrifying news, and not what you’d expect to learn about an active, bright, curious, creative, and otherwise healthy girl.

It’s been an arduous and unpredictable medical journey for Sophia Ransdell, a 15-year-old from Cedarburg who attends Cedarburg High School. Over the last three years, brave Sophia has been a routine patient at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, most recently this summer to have SEEG brain surgery to implant electrodes to better monitor and collect data from her seizures. It was not without complications, and she spent nearly 4 weeks in the hospital.

Sophia has two small lesions visible on imaging, both on the left side of her brain. The smaller lesion is in the medial frontal lobe, closer to the brain's gray matter. The larger lesion is in the temporal lobe, deeper within the connecting structures of the brain. The specialists believe her seizures originate from the smaller lesion in the frontal lobe before spreading to other areas, with the greatest seizure activity occurring near these two lesions.

Her medical team at CHW reached a consensus that laser ablation is the next step and the preferred surgical approach. Because Sophia's lesions are so small, a traditional surgery would not be any more effective, but it would carry significantly greater risks. Laser ablation, on the other hand, is minimally invasive and works by destroying the lesion from the inside using carefully controlled heat. A laser fiber—about the same diameter as the electrodes Sophia had placed during her SEEG—would be inserted through a tiny opening in her skull using robotic guidance. She would then be moved to the MRI suite, where the surgical team would precisely deliver the laser energy to the targeted area. They would likely obtain a biopsy of the lesion using the same pathway, although there is no guarantee the sample would provide a definitive diagnosis. Before any of that can happen, however, the focus is helping Sophia return to a healthy baseline.

Her whole family—mom, dad, and younger brothers Truman and Roman—have been by her side nonstop, but it's taken a huge toll emotionally and financially. From medical bills, medications, therapy, trips back and forth to CHW, and basic expenses to support the family through unpredictable and stressful times, it's been devastating to their financial situation.

If you know Sophia, you know this sweet girl would rather be painting at home, paddle boarding with mom, making artistic dessert creations for the boys, practicing her lines for an upcoming theatre performance, or laughing with friends around a campfire. Unfortunately, she’s spent more time at the hospital, or in her bed recuperating, than any kid should experience.

We want Sophia to know that there is a whole community cheering her on, sending her all the love and support in the world. She’s not alone. As they prepare for another surgery, would you be willing to help support Sophia and her family with a donation?

If you are not able to give financially, sharing this fundraiser and keeping Sophia, Janet, Johnny, Truman, and Roman in your thoughts and prayers would mean so much. We are deeply grateful for any help you can offer. Thank you for supporting this family and surrounding them with love during this incredibly difficult time.