Live Like Bella? Childhood Cancer Foundation

Excited to have had a group of students and parents from Arvida Middle School visit Live Like Bella headquarters with a sweet surprise! This amazing group collected and donated fun, colorful, and character-inspired bandages for children in local hospitals fighting childhood cancer. This beautiful act reminds us of one of our favorite stories of Bella’s compassion for others. During her hospital stays, Bella noticed there weren’t any fun bandages for kids, so she and her loved ones held a bandage drive and donated over 3,000 boxes! Inspired by this story, the families and students of Arvida Middle School decided to do the same?? Together, we’re making hospital stays a little brighter and bringing smiles to children battling cancer. Thank you to Arvida Middle School for being part of the fight against childhood cancer! Click below to see a throwback of when Bella did her bandage drive! . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. David B. Lombard, Vice Chair for Clinical and Translational Research at the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, Director of the NCI-designated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, two respected leaders in cancer research, to Live Like Bella headquarters! They met with our CEO to learn more about our mission and explore ways to further collaborate in the fight against childhood cancer. We’re grateful for their time, passion, and shared commitment to advancing research and bringing hope to children and families impacted by this horrible disease?? . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

No matter the challenges families face, one thing remains constant: our mission to support children battling cancer - every step of the way. Thanks to you, families like the Boyles are able to focus on Maria’s health, not the stress of everyday expenses. Because of your generosity, Maria is receiving treatment for a brain tumor with one less burden on her shoulders. Your support allows her mom to focus on what matters most - being by her daughter’s side through it all. . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

Remembering this art lover on what would have been his 11th birthday?? Luis Alguera was a neuroblastoma fighter from Miami, Fl who touched the lives of all who knew and loved him. Our team had the honor of meeting Luis and his family in 2020 and standing by their side throughout his fight. Though he is no longer with us, he continues to inspire us every day. We remain committed to fighting in honor of Luis and all the children we have lost yet forever hold close in our hearts. . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

On November 27, 2024, at just nine years old, Gianna’s life changed in an instant when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. What started as knee pain was initially dismissed as growing pains or a minor injury from ballet, lacrosse, or running with her friends. But after multiple doctor visits and increasing pain, her mother pushed for answers. An X-ray led to an ER visit, an MRI, and then the words no family ever wants to hear: “Your daughter has bone cancer.” Within days, Gianna was facing 29 rounds of chemotherapy and the heartbreaking reality that she would need amputation or rotationplasty to save her life. The whirlwind of treatments and surgeries was more than the family could have imagined. And yet, through it all, Gianna’s mom says Gianna remains brave, determined, and full of hope. As she prepares for surgery, her focus isn’t on fear - it’s on the day she rings that bell, celebrating the end of treatment, and what she’ll wear when she does it. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to provide assistance for Gianna’s family by covering essential transportation costs, including monthly car payments and insurance. We’ll continue standing by their side, knowing that one day, we’ll all be celebrating as she rings the bell together! . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

These are our favorite kinds of days?? Yesterday Helen Martinez, a 10-year-old from Venezuela, visited our office to ring our reimagined Bell of Hope! Helen has been battling rhabdomyosarcoma since 2021 and has faced three relapses. But this week, she received incredible news - her scans are clean! A big cause for celebration! She and her mom stopped by to mark this special moment with our team and a few of our supporters: Lori Bean from Bean Automotive Group and Evelyn Paz, Constituent Services Coordinator of Commissioner Kevin Cabrera’s District 6 office. Our Bell of Hope isn’t just for the end of treatment - it celebrates victories big and small. For Helen, it was a clean scan and the hope for many more to come! The afternoon was filled with coloring and the Lilo & Stitch soundtrack playing in the background, one of Helen’s favorite movies. Our team was deeply moved by her and her mother’s story, courage, and faith. Join us in celebrating this amazing news by leaving a comment below! If you’d like to learn more about the Bell of Hope, visit the link below today. https://lnkd.in/eSrq9V4 . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

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Happy Birthday to our amazing Vice-Chair and Bella’s mommy, Shannah Rodriguez-Torres! You’re an amazing woman with the biggest heart; we are so grateful for all you do for Live Like Bella and children battling cancer?? . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

Celebrating a birthday in March? Make your special day even more meaningful by hosting a birthday fundraiser to support children battling cancer! Instead of gifts, you can ask your loved ones to donate to a mission you care about with our easy-to-use platform. Click the link below to start your fundraiser today; every dollar raised makes a difference in the lives of children like Leo ?? https://lnkd.in/eSrq9V4 . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness

In December 2023, Elizabeth Izaguirre was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, turning her family’s world upside down. What followed is something many families impacted by childhood cancer experience. Her mother had to leave her job to care for her, making it difficult to cover essential expenses like groceries, utilities, and rent. With only her father working, the financial burden became overwhelming. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to step in and help relieve some of the family’s financial stress, allowing them to focus on what matters most - Elizabeth’s health. . . . #LiveLikeBella #ChildhoodCancerAwareness