'Miracles For Mia' Fundraiser For Little Girl Battling Cancer

RIVERHEAD, NY — The community is opening its arms and hearts to help a little girl, 3, battling an inoperable brain cancer.

Mia Grace Elizabeth Moore was diagnosed in January with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, and the months since have brought all who love her together as they rally to support the little girl's fierce battle for life.

According to Tina Moore, her niece Mia is the daughter of Michelle Moore, a young woman who moved from her hometown of Riverhead a few years ago to Newport News, VA. But although there are miles between her new home and the community where her roots run deep, love knows no geographic boundaries, and when friends and loved ones heard of her precious little girl's battle, they came together to make a difference.

Her Riverhead family and friends have organized an event, the "Miracles For Mia BBQ Fundraiser," to be held on Aug. 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 51 Madison St. in Riverhead. Tickets cost $40 per person; $20 for ages 12 and under; 2 and under free. The event also has an early bird discount: For the first 100 tickets sold until Thursday, August 15, adult tickets will cost $35. Ticket price includes food, soft drinks, dessert and music.

The event will also include a 50/50 raffle for $5 per ticket and a Chinese auction; 100% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Moore family to help ease the financial burden while "Miss Mia" participates in a T-cell therapy clinical trial in Washington, DC.

Little Mia's diagnosis has devastated her mother and all who love her.

Moore's family, Tina said, had faced daunting challenges in recent months, losing their stepmother suddenly last summer and, two months later, their mother, as well as other family members and friends.

DIPG, Tina explained is an aggressive, inoperable cancer that targets the brain stem.

"Our family has not been able to heal from all of the loss they have felt before facing another blow, We are all devastated, but we never give up hope because this family is strong and that strength has been inherited by Mia Grace," she said.

So far, she added, Mia has completed radiation —at this time the only actual treatment for DIPG at her age— and that has shrunk the tumor, which has remained stable since April.

She is now participating in the T-cell therapy trial in Washington, DC, which uses a type of immune system cell from the patient with the hope that it will kill the cancer cells, Tina said; the treatment, she added, has been successful in treating other forms of cancer.

"While Mia is doing well right now, each day is nerve-wracking," Tina said. The average post-diagnosis survival time is 9 months, a sobering statistic, she said. "We don't give up hope but we also appreciate every single day," she said.

Funds raised, she added, are desperately needed. Michelle Moore is a single mom to Mia and her son Brendyn, and she has been out of work since January, just recently returning per diem.

"We are hoping this fundraiser will ease her financial burden a little bit," Tina said.

When asked to describe Mia Grace, Tina described the child's indomitable spirit. "She is a smart, beautiful, strong little girl. I think two words describe her perfectly: sassy and fierce."

Food for the event will be provided by Ammirati’s in Mattituck, music will be presented by D.J. Beef, and Kristen Asher Photography will be the official event photographer.

Donations from businesses for the Chinese auction, as well as sponsors for the costs of the event, are also still needed.

The goal is to raise $10,000 for Mia and her family, Tina said. "Please find it in your hearts to help us reach our goal," organizers said.

To purchase tickets online or donate, click here.