Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from an open letter written by Jodi Vinnai-Vlasman, mother of Sophia Vlasman, the UCC student who’s battling cancer and who has touched the hearts of so many of us:
This is the hardest, saddest, most devastating journal entry I will write.
Sophia’s relapse that we found out about on April 24th is called a ~leptomeningeal relapse. It involves the membrane covering your brain, neck and spine. It really is, the worst case scenario.
There is no treatment for this. I cannot express our devastation.
Sophia has been receiving ‘palliative care’ since we came home from London for the last time. I forbid the use of the ‘p’ word. My hopes were set high on the possibility of a trial in Toronto, even though it was clearly laid out to us that it would not have been curative. It was a trial to study the side effects of a drug not even categorized as one to treat rhabdomyosarcoma…but there’s always HOPE. Sophia is simply not eligible.
To read the full letter, click here.
Below is the incredible video the students and staff at UCC did for Sophia late last year:
My prayers are with Sophia. So sad. :'(
My prayers are with you Sophia and your family! You truly are an inspiration!
Women are the strongest on earth, be strong and you will come out on top, all my prayers
My prayers are with Sophia and her family!!!
Prayers❤️
NO WORDS CAN EASE THE PAIN THAT IS BEING FELT BUT MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
TRUELY A BEAUTIFUL INSPIRATION!!
My prayers are with Sophia and her family and friends
I am so sorry to read this, Sophia Please NEVER GIVE UP! You have an army behind you routing you on–giving you strength along with many healing thoughts,prayers and Our Wonderful God’s Blessings.
That video is amazing. My thoughts and prayers are with Sophia and her family!
Thoughts and prayers going out to Sophia and your whole family and all your incredible friends! Take care Sophia.
thoughts and prayers are with you all
May God hold you in his arms and comfort you and your family. May peace shine on all of you and make you strong on this tough journey. Keeping yours in my prayers.
our thoughts and prayers are with you Sophia and your family during this very difficult time…..hugs to you all <3
Thoughts and prayers. <3
Prayers for you all <3
praying for the entire family
God has truly blessed you and your family with courage , strength, love and inspiration to all! You are truly an Angel!
Sending thoughts and prayers your way, you are truly amazing, Never give up.
Having never even met Sophia I and countless others have been touched by her spirit. She is an amazing soul and reminds everyone what is truly important and to cherish every moment in this life.
she's an inspiration to all..god bless sophia
Rock And Roar Sophia Never give up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqoHPzqUkZo&feature=kp
Saw this and though we don’t know you, it made us think of how hard you fight.
I was very shocked to see this written in your paper. If this was meant to be shared publicly, I don’t think it would have been written in a private online forum. This shows a great lack of disrespect to the family and lack of journalistic integrity on your part.
Nicole, the journal that you mention has more than 90,000 visits. It’s an open forum. That’s why we linked to it, after discovering a post about it on social media. We didn’t call the family for an update or intrude in any way, or offer any speculation on her condition. We just wanted to help Sophia’s mom update everyone who is interested. Sophia has impacted so many people in our community and beyond these past months, her story had already become very public.