Sophie Enderton of Niagara County told Fox News Digital that she decided she wanted to brighten the days of chemotherapy patients shortly after her grandfather – Terry – explained what the treatment is and why it’s challenging for people. Sophie learned of Terry’s diagnosis in October 2021 and set out to make comfort bags for chemo patients over the holiday season.
Sophie Enderton and her grandfather Terry shared a special bond. That bond led the 10-year-old to start a ‘chemo comfort bag’ initiative after she learned her grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (Jillian Enderton)With help from her family, Sophie put together crocheted bags and fill each with items that are meant to enhance comfort, including blankets, small pillows, games, word searches, cozy socks and mitts. Sophie Enderton, 10, and her family banded together to make and donate care packages for chemotherapy patients in Buffalo, New York, over the holiday season. The Endertons are currently putting together comfort bags with a new goal of delivering 20 bags to pediatric and adult cancer patients by the end of March – in honor of Terry’s birthday.
"Sophie and her grandpa were super close, and I think this helps her to stay close to him now that he's passed away," Jillian said, noting that he died on Dec. 15, 2021. Community members have donated money and items to Sophie’s comfort bag project and this time the fifth-grader hopes to add cards and other personalized touches to the care packages.
Sophie Enderton's ‘chemo comfort bags’ are filled with items that are meant to enhance comfort, including blankets, small pillows, games, word searches, cozy socks and mitts.
One of the notes came from a patient who when asked how it feels to see that her comfort bags are making a difference in people’s lives, Sophie said, "It feels so nice."
Sophie Enderton and her family are currently putting together chemo comfort bags with a new goal of delivering 20 bags to pediatric and adult cancer patients by March 28 – in honor of what would've been grandpa Terry’s 72nd birthday.
"She likes to be in charge. So, she'll be good at that," Jillian told Fox. "I'm part of a few nonprofit committees in our community. So maybe, hopefully, she wanted to follow in my footsteps a little bit. I don't think I was as aware as she is of what's going on." A memory that Sophie will always hold close to her heart involves long car rides in her grandfather’s red Corvette.