Help this 6-year-old 'tough cookie' from South Toms River in tumor fight
In February, Sophia Colavito had a big toenail removed due to an infection. It’s a procedure that would leave most folks wincing. Not this 6-year-old from South Toms River.
“It barely fazed her,” her mother Lindsay Colavito said. “She’s a tough cookie, for sure.”
In 2020, after suffering headaches and losing vision in one eye, Sophia was diagnosed with anoptic nerve glioma — a slow-growing brain tumor behind the eye. Her treatment has been a roller coaster, including a chronic ingrown toenail caused by an inhibitor drug, but an outpouring of community support continues Wednesday night, Aug. 10, with a “Craft Night” fundraiser from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Battle River Brewing in Toms River.
“The support has been phenomenal,” Lindsay Colavito said. “We’ve had several foundations help us throughout the last two-and-a-half years financially, emotionally, the whole nine yards. It really does take a village when you’re in this situation. We’re incredibly blessed.”
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Sophia did not respond well to the standard protocol intravenous chemotherapy — it caused chronic nausea and failed to stem the tumor’s growth — so she went on inhibitor drugs, which she could take from home. “That caused a constant ingrown toenail infection,” Lindsay Colavito said.
Multiple procedures on her toe hopefully have cleared the way for her to resume inhibitor therapy in the coming weeks. An MRI last week showed no new tumor growth — a good sign.
In between the therapies and hospital visits, there have been truly memorable moments. In December Sophia, 8-year-old sister Isabella and their parents visited Walt Disney World for the first time together courtesy of Dream Factory of the Jersey Shore, the local chapter of a national nonprofit that grants wishes to children who are suffering from chronic or critical illness.
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“It was absolutely amazing,” Lindsay said. “Walking into Magic Kingdom for the first time, seeing her eyes light up, was phenomenal — a totally joyous moment in her life. I would love to capture that over and over again.”
Tickets to Craft Night are $65 per person and includes a two-hour craft tutorial with Craft & Carry Custom of Toms River, two beers and discounted refills, and pizza by Capone’s Gourmet in Toms River. For more information or tickets, visit www.craftandcarrycustom.com/diy-events.
Those unable to attend but interested in donating to the family’s GoFundMe initiative to defray Sophia’s medical expenses can do so at www.GoFundMe.com (keyword: FightWithFi).
Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore’s interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Sophia Colavito brain tumor fundraiser at Battle River Brewing
