San Francisco 49ers

8-year-old girl who survived cancer pushed down stairs at Buffalo Bills game, family says

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A young cancer survivor was pushed down stairs at the Buffalo Bills game over the weekend, according to her family.

WIVB reports Mia DeCamilla, an 8-year-old girl from Rochester, was attending her first NFL game at Orchard Park on Sunday when a drunk Bills fan allegedly shoved her, causing her to fall from her seat. She was not physically hurt, but DeCamilla’s family said they were emotionally shaken and decided to leave the game early.

Mia appeared in photos and videos at the game wearing a San Francisco 49ers hat and holding a sign that said “I beat cancer.” She told WIVB that she likes the 49ers because it’s her dad’s team and they would watch football when she was in the hospital battling liver cancer.

A drunk Bills fan in section 312 decided to push a group of 49ers fans, including the young child, according to her father Mike DeCamilla.
“He said, ‘I’m going to push through all these Niner fans,” he told WIVB. “So, he actually bumped me and my son a little bit and then got past me and pushed her, almost slid off the stairs and hit her like side on the chairs.”

WHAM reports Mia’s ribs hit a chair when she was knocked over. Her family notified police at the stadium when they left at halftime, but did not file a report.

Kate Glaser, a journalist who shares good news and promotes charities at Buffalo-based Hope Rises, said the Bills reached out to Mia to provide a better experience next time. Mia, however, told WIVB that she doesn’t want to go back to the Bills’ Highmark Stadium because of the incident.

Mia said that she still had fun, though the Bills beat the 49ers, 35-10.

“My favorite part was getting to see Brock Purdy because he’s my favorite player and I have his jersey, too,” she told WHAM.
It’s unclear if Purdy has heard about the DeCamilla family’s experience, but their story has gone viral online. Former NFL player Antonio Brown said he got in touch with the family and would FaceTime Mia on Tuesday.
Fans have also promoted the DeCamilla family’s GoFundMe, raising more than $20,000 in support of Mia.

“Bills Mafia knows that we are the City of Good Neighbors, and we want you to know that you are always welcome at our games,” one donor wrote. “The Mafia send you lots of hugs and are ecstatic to hear the fantastic news of you beating cancer! You’re a great kid, and this too will pass!”

“So sorry for your family’s experience. There are a lot of good people in this world, don’t let the bad apples spoil it for you,” another said.

Glaser said Hope Rises is also accepting cards and notes of encouragement for Mia, which can be sent to:

Mia DeCamilla
c/o Hope Rises
PO Box 24
E. Amherst, NY 14051

 

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