In February of 2007 Sophie Elizabeth Quayle, at age three, was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) - a cancerous brain tumor. This type of tumor is located in the brainstem, at the base of the brain. Affecting primarily children, it is the rarest and worst of pediatric brain tumors. Approximately 150 to 200 children are diagnosed each year. This type of tumor is considered terminal, and survival time is typically nine to twelve months following diagnosis.

Sophie's parents, Marc and Emily Quayle of Avon Lake, felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness when learning there was nothing the doctors could do to save Sophie's precious life. Sophie passed away October 6, 2007, just seven and a half months after diagnosis.

This great despair and frustration lead Marc and Emily on a mission to help children and families suffering from DIPG, while raising awareness and money that will lead to a cure for this awful disease and other types of pediatric brain cancer.

Our Mission:
The mission of Smiles For Sophie Forever* - A Foundation Confronting Pediatric Brain Cancer is threefold:
- to provide financial and emotional support to families burdened by pediatric brain tumors
- to promote a global awareness of not only pediatric brain tumors, but also an awareness of the lack of funding allocated for pediatric brain cancer research; and 
- to provide financial support to St. Jude, where Sophie was treated, and to other viable organizations committed to the treatment and cure of pediatric brain cancer.

* Smiles For Sophie Forever is a tax-exempt, 501 (c)(3) organization.