Page 76 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2023

GIVING BACK
SOSO STRONG PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION
story by Victoria Snyder photos courtesy of SoSo Strong Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
“DIPG stole our beautiful daughter, Sophia, but she still has a future. Her future, her legacy, will be finding a cure for DIPG and all pediatric brain tumors.” – Angel Myers McIlrath, Mother of Sophia, “SoSo” and SoSo Strong Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation founder and president
DIPG stands for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a deadly and aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer. Less than 10 percent of children diagnosed with DIPG live for two years after diagnosis. There is no known cure for the cancer.
In October 2017, seven-year-old Sophia “SoSo” Ann Myers of Ocean Springs lost her battle with DIPG. Sophia’s favorite nickname was “SoSo,” and during her battle she was truly so, so strong. Her parents, Angel Myers McIlrath and Josh Myers, say she demonstrated amazing strength and grace throughout her battle. After Sophia’s passing, they created the SoSo Strong Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in her honor.
The foundation’s mission is to find a
cure for DIPG and other pediatric brain tumors, to identify the cause of DIPG while spreading awareness about these cancers and educate others, and to improve the lives of patients and their families. Funds raised go toward research, finding a cure, in addition to extending and improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with DIPG until a cure is found. Experts believe that finding
a cure for DIPG will help in curing many other cancers.
SoSo Strong Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
P.O. Box 632, Ocean Springs 228.327.3133 | www.sosostrongpbtf.org
76 | December 2023
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