CADILLAC — A Northern Michigan family is hoping to start a tradition to honor the memory of their little girl who died last year from cancer by celebrating her favorite holiday.
9-year-old Sophie Hinkley died last September from kidney cancer. Near the end, she was preparing for Halloween but didn’t make it.
The community banded together after her death and threw a Halloween bash in her honor. Now, her family wants it to happen every year.
Sophie’s mom, Anne Hinkley said Sophie’s battle with cancer lasted less than 2 years of her short life.
“She was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumors right before she turned eight. She had tumors on both kidneys. Stage 5. She battled that for about a year and a half and then passed last September on the 19th,” said Hinkley.
Hinkley said Sophie loved everybody and especially loved celebrating Halloween.
“Her Make-A-Wish trip was supposed to be to the Disney Halloween party. Like, that’s what she loved,” said Hinkley.
But Hinkley said she wasn’t able to go.
“Unfortunately, she got too sick and ended up buying Halloween decorations instead for a Make-A-Wish shopping spree. And sadly, most of that came after she passed,” said Hinkley.
The community came together and kept her Halloween spirit alive, honoring her memory with a huge Halloween bash at the Wexford County fairgrounds last year.
“We didn’t really have a whole lot to do with last year’s event. We were, you know, dealing with our grief and everybody kind of took over,” said Hinkley.
Hinkley said this year, they wanted to continue that tradition by holding another Halloween party in September.
“We are hoping to make it bigger every year. Continue on for her. And then September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. So, we plan to do it every September in her honor and to help raise awareness,” said Hinkley.
Not only to raise awareness but also raise money for some of the organizations that helped the Hinkley family while Sophie was getting treatment.
They also want to help another local child with medical needs being treated at DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, a place the Hinkleys know well.
“We’re looking for donations for our silent auction for Layn Benson. He is almost one, and he spent most of his time in the children’s hospital in Grand Rapids,” said Hinkley.
Hinkley said this event has been part of the healing process.
She said Sophie left a huge imprint on the hearts of those that knew her in the short time she was here.
“We’ve had so much support of so many people we’ve never even met have come out and helped us. And because of them is why we want to do what we’re doing and just give back to the community that helped us,” said Hinkley.
Spooky Sophie’s Halloween Bash takes place this year on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Northern District Fairgrounds.