Isabella Sophia Phelan, affectionately called “Bella,” was born on March 23, 2012. The first 3 and a half years of her life were full of joy, happiness, fun, and good health. She loved playing with her sister, dog, cousins and friends, and enjoyed going to her 3-year-old pre-k class. Then, on April 23, 2016, exactly one month after her 4th birthday, Bella was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia - the “most treatable and curable of the pediatric cancers.” Just a few days following this devastating and life-changing diagnosis, the Phelan Family was introduced to the PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative. 

Over the next 5 years and 2 months, Bella would endure 5 relapses of her “most treatable and curable” leukemia, undergo 2 bone marrow transplants (the 1st from her HERO big sister, Peyton, and the 2nd from an unrelated donor in Germany), several CAR-T immunotherapy treatments (including a 6-week stay in Philadelphia for humanized CAR-T cells), radiation, intense chemotherapy, blood/platelet/plasma transfusions, and many, many procedures under anesthesia.

On June 25, 2021, 3 months after her 9th birthday, Bella went home to Jesus, at 11pm, after succumbing to the side effects of the very treatments that were meant to save her. Though Bella may be physically absent from our world, she remains spiritually present, and her existence, legacy, light, and love are stronger than ever!

Isabella’s legacy is to help the kids and families in the thick of the fight against pediatric cancer. PUNT is the ONLY organization in Western New York that financially supports these families from diagnosis day and throughout treatment; PUNT is the only not-for-profit organization that continues to support families through and after the unfathomable loss of a child to pediatric cancer. 

Please join the Phelan Family and Bella’s Brigade in a night of incredible karaoke fun and competition, and help raise money for the PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative and all of the programs that they provide to pediatric cancer families:

Helping Hands - financial assistance to help make ends meet.

Adopt A Family - fulfilling holiday wish lists.

Game Day - a private suite so kids fighting cancer can cheer on the Buffalo Bills.

Dawson’s Locker - grocery and gas gift cards, and parking vouchers for the hospital parking ramps.

Field of Dreams - special experiences, items, or opportunities to serve as a morale boost.

Ultimate Compassion - a program to support bereaved families of childhood cancer.

HELP US KEEP BELLA’S LEGACY ALIVE & STRONG BY PURCHASING A TICKET OR PARTICIPATING IN THE 1ST ANNUAL “BELLA’S BELT-IT-OUT BATTLE”!