Six-year-old Mila is the kind of child who brings color into every room she enters. She loves rainbows, pink everything and drawing cats. Arts and crafts are her favorite escape—glitter glue, markers and popsicle sticks are her creative outlet.
But in early 2025, when Mila began complaining of pounding headaches, her mom, Bella, had no idea their world was about to change again. Urgent care and Emergency Department visits resulted in a sinus infection diagnosis, but the symptoms kept returning. A few weeks later, Mila’s small wrists and legs began hurting intensely— “like her bones hurt,” Bella recalls.
By May 2025, the pain had intensified, and Bella rushed her daughter back to the Emergency Department. Doctors found abnormalities in her bloodwork, leading to an immediate transfer to Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. There, specialists confirmed the life-altering diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
For Bella, the news landed with devastating force. As a single mother, she had already endured profound loss. She had lost her husband, Mila’s father, in a car accident in October 2023. “I was overwhelmed with emotions,” Bella shared. “I had just started feeling like things were okay again after losing her dad. His death crushed us. And then suddenly, it felt like my whole world crashed all over again.”
From day one, the team at the Children’s Hospital wrapped Mila and Bella in unwavering support. “The staff is just awesome,” Bella said. “Especially the nurses. They are always making sure she’s okay, she’s their top priority. But they also take care of me. They always check on how I’m doing, what I need, how they can help. They make sure neither of us feels alone.”
Mila has formed a special bond with the Child Life Specialists, especially Laura, whom she absolutely adores. “They are angels,” Bella said. “They truly care about these kids.”
Despite everything she has endured, Bella calls Mila her “brave little girl.” Mila has a deep fear of needles, yet she never pushes back or fights the treatment. “She just pushes through,” her mom said. “Even when I know it’s hard for her, she stays as calm as she can.”
By her side through every treatment is Polka-Dot, her beloved stuffed snow leopard, who travels with her to every appointment like a silent guardian.
In the hospital, Mila returns to the things that make her feel like herself, drawing cats and rainbows, and pouring her creativity onto paper. One unforgettable moment was when she was invited to design cleats for Eli Manning, former New York Giants Quarterback and Tackle Kids Cancer (TKC) Captain.
Since his playing days, Eli has represented TKC for the National Football League’s (NFL) My Cause My Cleats Initiative in which players have the opportunity to pick a cause that is most important to them and represent their chosen organization on custom designed cleats. Mila, with assistance from Polka-Dot, designed the cleats with her favorite colors and unboxed them with Eli ahead of him wearing them live on the Monday Night Football ManningCast. Eli’s cleats designed by Mila are now up on NFL Auction and all proceeds will be donated to Tackle Kids Cancer.
“She got to express herself in such a huge, amazing way,” Bella said. “She had so much fun designing the cleats.”
“Throughout this journey, Tackle Kids Cancer has been a lifeline. TKC has given me everything I need. “Every penny donated goes to an amazing cause—helping a child or a family in some way, whatever the need. TKC really changes a child’s life.”
A highlight was being invited to a New York Giants game to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of TKC, where Mila and her mom sat in a suite for the first time and Mila got to stand on the field with the players. “It was so amazing,” Bella said. “She felt so special.”
Mila’s treatment is expected to continue until 2027, but her spirit—brave, bright and beautifully creative—continues to shine through every step of the journey.
And just like the rainbows she loves to draw, Mila is proof that even after the darkest storms, color always returns.
About Tackle Kids Cancer
Donations made to Tackle Kids Cancer support TKC MVPs like Mila and their families. Connect with Tackle Kids Cancer on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and X to follow our runners and join us in celebrations for Tackle Kids Cancer’s 10th anniversary.