Miguel and Serena Rubio’s world was shattered this past month when their daughter Sofia was diagnosed with brain cancer.
To help with growing expenses, Valaree Gonzalez set up a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $7,000 for the Ceres family.
A total of $1,675 had been raised as of Tuesday morning. Approximately 43 donations have been made.
The account is online at www.gofundme.com/f/7sewrq-help-sofia-beat-cancer
“Understandably, Serena and her family are going through a tough time processing this unimaginable news,” said Gonzalez, fundraiser organizer, Serena’s close friend and Sofia’s godmother. “I’m asking for donations to help relieve some of the stress, financial burden, and worry for this young family. Donations will be used for the many expenses such as travel, food, and upkeep of home expenses/bills. Sofia’s parents have been unable to attend work and have not left her side during her battle. Your donations and prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you!”
Miguel and Serena both work for Ceres Unified School District.
Sofia, 6, attends Patricia Kay Beaver Elementary School.
Baby brother Pablo was born in December.
“Me and Serena have been best friends since junior high,” Gonzalez said. “We went to school together from elementary to high school. And I’m Sofia’s godmother. I was there when Serena had an emergency C-section when she had Sofia. I was one of the first people to see her.”
Gonzalez chronicled the challenges Sofia and her family have faced since she went to the emergency room at Doctor’s Medical Center in Modesto.
“On the 3rd of June, after having headaches, vomiting and losing feeling on one side of her face, Sofia was taken to the hospital,” she said. “It was discovered that Sofia had a buildup of fluid in her brain. She was airlifted to Madera Valley Children’s Hospital where she underwent five surgeries and procedures. First, the medical team drained the fluid buildup which was necessary to perform a MRI. The MRI showed a tumor on the back of her brain.”
“Another surgery, lasting nearly 12 hours, was performed in an attempt to remove the tumor,” she added. “After discovering it was malignant, they went back to try to remove the rest, where they got over 90% of it out. However, Sofia still wasn’t able to successfully cycle the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), so she needed to have yet another surgery to put in a shunt. She developed Posterior Fossa Syndrome, which causes difficulty with communication and motor skills, prompting her to be placed on a feeding tube.”
Rubio, who has an aggressive malignant tumor on the back of her brain, was admitted to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland on June 29.
Treatment will consist of two 15-day rounds of chemotherapy.
Power chemicals will be used to kill cancer cells in Rubio’s body.
Rubio turned 6 last Thursday.
“I talk to her mom every day,” Gonzalez said. “Sofia has had some rough days in there. She can’t speak or walk. She’s on a feeding tube. She’s starting to color again. Watching my goddaughter go through this is really heartbreaking.”
Valaree misses spending time with Sofia.
“She’s a very sassy, outspoken girl,” Gonzalez said. “She can talk your ear off. She likes to shop and eat at restaurants. She loves to draw and color. She’s actually a really good drawer. She likes to spend time with her little baby brother. She’s very loving.”
Gonzalez attended several of Rubio’s softball games at George Costa Fields this season.
Rubio, a newcomer to the sport, suited up for the Ceres Giants 6-and-under t-ball team.
She logged playing time in the outfield and at pitcher.
“Sofia played everywhere,” Gonzalez said. “She enjoyed it. She was shy at the beginning of the season.”
Rubio finished season but missed the Ceres Youth Baseball & Softball Organization’s closing ceremony.
“She played through everything she was going through,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez plans to coach Rubio during the 2024 CYBSO recreational season.
“She’s excited about it,” Gonzalez said. “She already picked out our team colors and team name.”
