About Mia
She was a force, pure joy and light.
She would light up a room with her presence and make your bad days disappear. Growing up she valued four things above all else. This is in no particular order.
1. Family
She was a loving daughter, sister to Gracie, niece, grand daughter, and Kiwi's (bulldog) mom. She loved spending time with her family especially on family vacations. She loved her camping trips, weekends in Colonie, trips to Cape Cod and to the many islands that our family visited. Obviously, her favorite trip of all time was Curacao.
2. Friends
Mia had a very tight knit group of friends that stayed by her side to the end. Liz, Nattie Bug, B, and Gracelynn came as a pack. They shared many wonderful memories together and Mia knew the true meaning of friendship because of these girls. I can still hear their giggling laughter coming from her room.
3. Gymnastics
Mia was part of Aerials Gymnastics Team. She started off at level 3, pretty new to gymnastics and ended at level 6 very well respected by her teammates and earning many medals along the way. She loved gymnastics and was dedicated to doing her best and helping others in the process. She considered the athletes and coaches as part of her family.
4. SUGAR!
Anyone that had ever crossed paths with Mia knew she had a love of sugar. It didn't matter what the sugar may be. You could see her eating gummy sushi, pixie sticks, sugary drinks like slushies, Gambles cakes and the sourest candy ever. It did not matter to Mia, if it was made of sugar then it was perfect for her.
Mia was diagnosed with stage 4 osteosarcoma when she was 14 years old. She was just starting to become a teenager and care about clothes and boys. She went through losing her hair, going through chemotherapy, radiation and many surgeries that scarred her body. She never gave up! She pushed through one battle to the next. She never gave in! Her strength and courage was immeasurable. In a hand written will she discussed her many wishes. One wish was to send families like ours needing a reprieve from their hardships to Curacao. We were not able to get her to the ocean one last time. This is where the idea for the Living For Mia Foundation was formed.
Living for Mia Foundation
We wish to thank the community for all their support. It is not only the foundation but the community that is making our daughter's last wishes come true. When you see families in Curacao with a smile on their faces know it was you that helped them get there. We are hoping to send many more families and the support we have been given and continue to receive will help us continue our mission.
Alyssa Kelsey's Story
"I have so much to say, so here I go. First off I need to thank Brittany Nassivera-Ball for nominating us and for the foundation seeing that we were fit for this, sometimes you get stuck in self pitty and believe your not worthy of anything… with that being said!
I got the call from the living for Mia foundation when I was at a very low state. I had started experimenting with my spirituality. I saw a TikTok of a girl asking the universe to surprise and delight her. So I thought “ what do I have to loose?” That next evening I got a call from Allison Nassivera asking if I wanted to go on an all expense paid vacation to curaçao. Needless to say I almost hung up because I thought I was being pranked. Mia had heard my call for help!
I never got to meet you but you sound like the type of person I would want in my life, I hope I was able to make you proud by exploring curaçao!! There’s many things we were not able to do but now I plan on going back I’m not sure how but I’m going to make it happen. We were able to go on a sunset cruise, booked a cabana at MOOD beach and ate dinner at marina MOOD, we went to the aquarium and did the ocean lens experience, went to playa jermi (my favorite), playa forti, we went to sheta boka national park (absolutely amazing) and we spent time watching a lot of sunsets and ate a couple of delicacies.
Thank you for a lifetime opportunity and for making one of my biggest dreams in life come true! This ended up being our honeymoon because we never got one!! It was absolutely amazing!! It was a very much needed brake before surgery on the 25th!
If you can please donate to this wonderful foundation (even if it’s 50¢) so they can help more families in our community who are really struggling and need a break!! They really gave me some hope."
- Alyssa
Fundraiser Events
Take a look at our upcoming events to raise money for the Living for Mia Foundation. Please consider donating to each of these causes to help send families to Curacao.
4th Annual
Golf Tournament
2024 DATE TBA
Join us at Kingsbury National Golf Course and support The Living For Mia Foundation!
Golfers, Sponsors & Spectators Welcome!
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