Painting the town pink for Sophia

Ocean Springs resident did their best to bring some extra color into the world of Sophia Myers, a seven-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.
If you’re from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, chances are you’ve seen the hashtag #PrayforSophia on social media. This little girl’s battle with brain cancer has inspired one local business to paint the town pink.
This weekend at Bring Your Own Brush Studios, people were able to make some great memories, create a masterpiece and support Sophia. Haven Lyons with Bring Your Own Brush Studio said, “She is a seven-year-old in Ocean Springs who has an inoperable brain tumor. We are raising money for her and her family. We are painting all day long. Everyone gets a canvas. They are recycled. Every shape and size imaginable and all the proceeds go to her. We also have bracelets, raffle tickets. We have a huge raffle going on. There’s over 70 items, each ticket is going to have a chance to win something fabulous. We have a live auction on Facebook. There’s a lot of different things going on to raise money for them.”
Sophia will also receive pictures of the art and all of her friends who came out to root for her. Sophia’s Uncle Pete Patano said, “It’s just been incredible. It’s what sustains on a day to day, sometimes hour to hour with the way things can change. The community support has got us through this. That means so much to her when she’s in Atlanta. She will be for some time, knowing that her friends are still back here and knowing that they are also aware of her situation and cheering her on, even from a distance. They are with her just as much by doing these types of events. She doesn’t have to worry about what her friends are doing or if they miss her. They know that they miss her and she misses them as well.”
And just maybe a few of the masterpieces that were painted with her in mind will end up with Sophia as she’s being treated at Emory Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta. Jaelyn Goss volunteered at Paint the Town Pink. She said, “I would give the painting to her and let her use it for the room that she’s in.”
You can also help Sophia’s family with travel and medical expenses by visiting gofundme.com/love-for-sophia.