Sonia “Sunshine” Casale was a devoted mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Given the nickname Sunshine by her college sorority for the light she brought to all around her.

She was born in India and adopted by her Mother and Father in south Minneapolis at 3 months old. She attended school in Minneapolis and went to college at University of Minnesota graduating with her Masters in Public health.

Sonia worked most of her professional career at Optum as a Health Promotions Specialist making sure thousands of employees knew about and participated in their benefits programs provided by their employers. Making others healthier was her life’s work.

She met her husband Matt in 2018 and was married in 2022. She brought their son “J” into this world in 2024. Two of her passions were traveling and seeing live music. One of her bucket list items was to see the 7 wonders of the world.

Sonia was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma in July of 2025 and fought tirelessly during her entire battle with this terrible cancer. During her battle, traveling to different hospital networks in search of clinical trials and other treatment options became an important part of her journey.

Through this travel it became apparent that to increase odds of clinical trial acceptance, required financial means to make multiple trips to establish care in different hospital networks. She realized that many people don’t have the same opportunities and how hard that must be.

Being able to provide financial aid and assistance to late stage cholangiocarcinoma is the goal and purpose of Sonia’s Sunshine Foundation. Bringing sunshine others.