Naugatuck Girl Named 'Child of the Year' by SCSU Organization

NAUGATUCK, CT - Olivia Zembruski, the president of Southern Connecticut State University’s Pediatric Cancer Awareness Organization, has announced the organization's "Child of the Year."

Every year, the organization hosts their annual gala as a fundraiser for our child of the year who is battling pediatric cancer. This year, the gala will be live streamed due to COVID-19.

This year, the Child of the Year is Sophie Tzunum, a six-year-old Naugatuck first grader student who attends Maple Hill Elementary School. She was diagnosed with High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on January 28, 2020- right before the global pandemic hit.

Battling cancer during a pandemic is extremely lonely, as there are no visitors allowed into the hospital, only Sophie and her mother. There are no visitors, no support staff, and everyone is isolated. Currently, Sophie has completed a little over a year of chemotherapy, and has about a year and a half left of her treatment.

Unfortunately, Mom knows all about what Sophie is missing in hospital life because of the pandemic. This is not the Tzunum’s first run with childhood cancer. Sophie’s older sister, seven-year-old Scarlet, is a Leukemia survivor. Scarlett celebrated three years in remission in December.

SCSU’s Pediatric Cancer Awareness Organization is hosting the annual fundraising gala to benefit the Tznunum family on April 30, 2021 at 7pm. There are four different levels of ways to support Sophie, based upon tiered ticket prices. All tickets purchased enter the donor to win one of six raffle prize baskets totaling over $1500 of prizes. There will be keynote speakers, an inside on Leukemia research by Doctor Sarah Crawford, singing from The Voice's Taryn Papas, and a motivational presentation from cancer survivor and all time record breaking girl scout cookie seller Lilly Bumpus.

Ticket link

Community Member Ticket

Support Sophie and her family by attending our annual gala! This $15 ticket gains you access into the event.

Bronze Honorary Sponsor

Support Sophie and her family by attending our annual gala! This $50 ticket gains you access into the event, and a commemorating plaque will be mailed to you as a thank you for your support.

Silver Honorary Sponsor

Support Sophie and her family by attending our annual gala! This $75 ticket gains you access into the event. In addition, a commemorating plaque and Sophie Strong facemask will be mailed to you as a thank you for your support

Gold Honorary Sponsor

Support Sophie and her family by attending our annual gala! This $100 ticket gains you access into the event. In addition, a commemorating plaque, a Sophie Strong facemask, and a Sophie Strong blanket will be mailed to you as a thank you for your support.

Organizers hope to show this Naugatuck family family that the state of Connecticut is Sophie Strong!