Local Theater Students Put On Show For 2-Year-Old With Cancer

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A high school musical took on a whole new cause in an effort to support a teacher whose two-year-old granddaughter Sophia is battling stage four cancer.

The cast of "Shrek" the musical, performed at South Plantation High School, focused on shaving their heads—or as they call it—"Schraving" for Sophia.

Two-year-old Sophia was diagnosed with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer which has made its way into her kidney, liver and stomach lining and which requires extensive treatment.

Diane Feraco, Sophia's grandmother, is a teacher at South Plantation High School where some of the students were shaving their heads in 2-year-old Sophia's honor.

"To do this for Sophia makes me feel so loved," said Feraco. "It's just an extension of what I feel working here."

The plan was actually theater teacher Jason Zumbuch's idea that he and the lead in "Shrek," Christian Valdiveiso, would shave their heads and open it for donations.

"Little Sophia, I hear from her grandma, has started seeing effects of all that hair loss," said Zumbuch.

Sophia was hospitalized again Monday.

"As a statement of solidarity," Lumbach said, he and the lead actor would shave their heads.

So heads were shaved and dollars were donated to show support for a great cause and a great little girl putting up a big fight.

"Everyone who has cancer has to go through that," said Valdiveiso, the lead actor, "so I can do it to support. It's the least I can do."

Feraco said she was so surprised when she found out what they were doing.

"Really it was a surprise for me. I heard it on the announcements," said Feraco.

Donations were collected during the show, and will continue to be collected during the next few performances this weekend and next.

If you can't make it to the show, but would like to donate to help with Sophia's medical costs, visit http://www.gofundme.com/790cbs.