Earlier this year, we introduced you to Sophia, a little girl from Statesboro who was born with a host of health issues and is living with just one failing kidney. Sophia has continued to require dialysis, with some days being easier than others.
The best news is that following the article, Sophia found a donor! Her life-saving and life-changing surgery is scheduled for the first week of December at Children's Healthcare in Atlanta.
Sophia's donor, Jan Mohr, was born and raised in Metter but lives in North Georgia now. She saw Sophia's story and felt led to donate.
"We can’t say how much we appreciate her, and she will now forever be a part of us," Sophia's grandmother Windy Williams said.
After the transplant, an entirely new journey begins for this family, and they still need our help. The family has raised money to cover some of the extraordinary costs associated with the transplant and post-transplant care, but that money is in a protected fund. It is unclear at this point how many expenses insurance will cover, and for that reason, the family is still in need.
"We have prayed, cried, pulled out all the stops to get her here," Windy said. "And now her life will forever be changed for the better. Not to say that there aren’t things that can happen, but we are focusing on the positive."
Housing needed urgently
Sophia's family, including two toddler siblings, will need to be with her in Atlanta for 2-3 months following the surgery. As we all know, housing costs are extremely high right now -- even more so in a big city like Atlanta. The family requires housing in the Northeast Atlanta area (no more than 20-30 minutes from CHOA Egleston on Clifton Rd.) that can accommodate three adults and three children, at minimum from the beginning of December until the end of January.
They prefer an AirBnB or other furnished option. Due to the number of individuals in their family, the Ronald McDonald House and extended stay hotels are not an option for them. In addition, the family will have to pay the rent up front. Though they will be reimbursed later, they must have the funds before they can move.
Anyone with a connection to a possible housing option for this family is asked to contact Windy as soon as possible at [email protected].
Fundraisers planned
Several local fundraisers have been planned to help Sophia and her family.
- BBQ Plate Dinner 11/11: Pulled pork plates are available for $10 each. Plates will include bbq pork, yellow rice, baked beans, bread, dessert, and drink. They will be available for pickup from 11am-2pm on Saturday, November 11, at the old T&W Tire across from Dairy Queen in Reidsville. To purchase a plate, contact Tammy Wilds at 912-536-5387.
- Rolling Monkey 11/16: Local kidney recipient Alaina Peay has organized a percentage night at Rolling Monkey for Sophia on Thursday, November 16 from 4-8pm. Rolling Monkey is located behind Chick-fil-A at 430 Northisde Drive East, #166.
- Raffle 11/30: A raffle will be held on November 30, or when all tickets have been sold. The raffle is hosted by Truckers for Tattnall and Friends of Sophia, and tickets are $100.00 each. Prizes include $2,500.00 (1st), $500.00 (2nd), and a Yeti Cooler (3rd). To purchase a ticket, contact Tammy Wilds at 912-536-5387. You can also Venmo @Tammy-Wilds or PayPal (friends and family, please!) [email protected]. Make sure to include your name and phone number for the drawing.
You can donate to the COTA Sophia Strong campaign here or send money directly to the family via Venmo (@Windy-Williams-7) or CashApp ($Winnie1973).
"Sophia is a miracle to say the least," Windy said. "She didn’t ask to be born into this crazy world or to a drug addicted mother. We have tried to shield her from the world, but her health, we can’t. This transplant is life-saving. There is nothing we won’t do to keep her here. We ask for continued prayers as our journey is quickly approaching."
Please contact Sophia's grandmother for additional information about how you can help their family at [email protected].
