Bella Rodriguez-Torres
Bella Rodriguez-Torres (born December 2002 - Died May 2013), a young girl whose courageous battle with cancer inspired a movement of kindness and compassion.
About
Bella Rodriguez-Torres was born in Miami, Florida, in 2002, and despite suffering developmental delays due to low oxygen at birth, she miraculously regained her ability to walk, run, and jump after being diagnosed with stage four Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma at age four. Her inspirational battle with cancer captured the hearts of people worldwide.[1][2][3][4]
After six relapses and numerous surgeries, Bella passed away on May 28, 2013, at the age of 10. However, her legacy lives on, inspiring others to live life to the fullest and serve others. Her family's phrase "Live Like Bella" coined during her chemotherapy sessions, encouraged others to appreciate life and serve others, inspiring acts of charity and service worldwide. Bella's story was also honored by Lebron James and Dwayne Wade, who wrote "Live Like Bella" on their shoes during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.[3][5][6]
In 2013, a sixteen-block stretch of Southwest 107th Avenue was renamed Live Like Bella Way to honor Bella.[7]
In 2013, the Live Like Bella Foundation was founded in memory of her with the mission to help children with cancer approach life the way Bella did. The foundation advocates for childhood cancer research, providing cancer treatment support to families, and helping families cover the costs of memorial services. Live Like Bella has raised over $35 million to help families in 37 countries and across the US.[2][8]
In 2014, Miami-Dade Parks and Miami-Dade Commission Vice Chair Lynda Bell unveiled Live Like Bella Park, formerly Leisure Lakes Park.[9]
In 2015, the Live Like Bella Foundation partnered with Baptist Health South Florida to establish the Live Like Bella Pediatric Proton Radiation Oncology Program at the Miami Cancer Institute. This state-of-the-art facility offers a comprehensive range of clinical services, cutting-edge technology, and innovative research capabilities. Notably, the $430 million Miami Cancer Institute is the first in South Florida to provide proton therapy, a groundbreaking treatment that precisely targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.[10]
References
- ↑ Viewing For Bella Rodriguez-Torres on Thursday Night (in en-US). NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Meet the Rodriguez-Torres Family | Live Like Bella (in en-US). Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 zwf1. Live Like Bella (in en-US). Zoological Wildlife Foundation (2015-02-05). Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ Miami's 10-Year-Old Miracle Cancer Fighter, Bella Rodriguez-Torres, Leaves Legacy (in en-US). Fox News (2016-12-18). Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ Besteni, Barbara A.. Bella Rodriguez-Torres dies after 6-year cancer battle (in en). WPLG (2013-05-29). Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ S. Fla. Girl, Bella, Dies After 6-Year Battle With Cancer - CBS Miami (in en-US). www.cbsnews.com (2013-05-28). Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ Candea, Ben. 'Live Like Bella Way' unveiled (in en). WPLG (2013-10-01). Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ Live Like Bella: A Legacy of Courage, Love, and Action (in en). WSFL (2024-04-22). Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ Miami-Dade County - Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces - News Release. www.miamidade.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ↑ Releases, Community News. Live LIke Bella Foundation partners with Miami Cancer Institute at BHSF | Sunny Isles Community News# (in en-US) (2015-10-11). Retrieved 2025-03-14.