Heartwarming News: UCLA & Lakers Honor Young Fan from New Mexico as "Laker For A Day"
ncarol.com/10286840

SANTA FE, N.M. - ncarol.com -- [SANTA FE, NM] -- UCLA Health and the Los Angeles Lakers honored an extraordinary young fan, Sophia Roybal Anderson, as Laker For A Day during the Doubleheader #268, featuring the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings vs. Oregon Ducks on February 8th, 2025.

More on ncarol.com

• Larry R. Wasion Highlights Jump Gate I: Time Chair. The Opening Novel in His Expansive Science Fiction Series
• K4Connect Launches Team Hub 5.0 — The Intelligent Execution Layer for Senior Living
• New Book Reveals The Science Of Predictions
• Compliance Alert: Maryland, Texas Regulate Use of Artificial Intelligence in Utilization Reviews
• Colony Ridge Communities Celebrates Successful Soccer Season Kickoff with Families and Youth

Sophia took center court alongside the Laker Girls in her own Lakers dance outfit, sharing her incredible journey of perseverance and strength.

When Sophia was born, she struggled to breathe and was rapidly losing weight. Her doctors in New Mexico diagnosed her with a rare heart defect, leaving her parents with limited local options. Determined to find the best care, Sophia's mothers got in contact with Dr. Gary M. Satou, MD, at UCLA Health, who was ready to see them immediately. They quickly learned flying at high altitudes would be fatal to their newborn, so they drove 17 hours from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to UCLA Health.

Dr. Gary M. Satou, MD, informed Sophia's parents that she needed open heart surgery at five months old and performed a successful 10-and-a-half-hour procedure with Dr. Peyman Benharash, MD, FACS–giving Sophia a second chance at life. After spending 12 days in the hospital, she was discharged and strong enough to go home.

More on ncarol.com

• NYC Composer/Educator Launches Debut Children's Book to Fantastic Reviews
• EFA Announces 2026 Editorial Rate Chart
• Red5 Taps PubNub to Power the Next Era of Real-Time Interactive Streaming
• Yield Curve Shifts Drive Retail Traders to AI Trading for 126% Annualized Return Stability
• Shoutout Joseph Neibich aka Nybyk

Sophia and her parents return to UCLA Health for annual checkups and feel like they've become part of their family. Today, she is thriving and is now a proud big sister.

To celebrate her strength and spirit, Sophia was welcomed to the Crypto.com Arena by the Laker Girls, where she danced alongside them in her Lakers gear, creating a special memory that she and her family will always remember.

Sophia now explores new places with her family as travel bloggers on Sophie Says Road Trip, where you get to come along their adventures through her eyes.

For more information on sponsoring a trip for Sophia, you can contact Yvette here.

Santa Fe locals can also visit Octane GMC, owned by Yvette, the first women-owned franchise in Santa Fe, for all your vehicle needs.