Maryland Trek
with Justin Berk
Age: 12Type of Cancer: OsteosarcomaTreatment Status: Currently in treatment, pending surgery
MDTrek 12 Day Two Route: Cumberland Hancock
Total Miles = 41: 14 on foot, 27 on bike
See more about our Day 2 at the bottom of this post
VIDEO
What started as a trip over a baby gate turned into something much more serious for Sophie. At first, she thought she had just twisted her ankle, but the pain shifted to her knee and lingered for weeks—eventually making it hard to walk. An x-ray revealed a suspicious oval-shaped area in the bone. After multiple scans, a biopsy, and even a second opinion from Sloan Kettering, doctors confirmed Sophie had osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
Understandably, Sophie was confused at first. “I kind of took it as a joke,” she said. “But as things started to roll out… I felt sad.” Despite it all, she’s handled the journey with strength. “People supporting me… and knowing deep down that I can do it” has helped her stay positive.
Her resilience has shown in small but powerful moments—like when her hair started falling out and she calmly told her mom, “When it grows back, I hope it comes back curly.”
Sophie is still in treatment, but she hasn’t lost her spark. She loves photography, making videos, and watching Grey’s Anatomy—a show she first bonded over with her mom when she was little.
Sophie’s trek day is especially meaningful—it passes right through Hancock, Maryland, just across the bridge from her hometown of Berkeley Springs. Her family has deep roots in the area, and many of the businesses in town are longtime clients of her parents’ small business. Honoring her on this day is just one of the many ways this journey feels like it was meant to be.
Through Just In Power Kids, Sophie received a Power Pack and support from the Clean Cuisine meal program. She also has a new mascot in her corner: Sunny the Succulent—because, as she says loud and proud: “Cancer can suck it.”
Sophie’s hope for the future is simple: “To be able to walk without crutches. To find something fun to do. To feel normal again.”
MD Trek 12 Day 2 Route: Cumberland Hancock
Total Miles = 41: 14 on foot, 27 on bike
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