December 23, 2020 – A Nicklaus Children’s Hospital patient reunited with his mother just in time for Christmas thanks to Mia’s Miracles, a foundation created by prominent golfer Camilo Villegas and his wife Maria Ochoa in honor of their late daughter Mia. After spending more than four months away from his family in Honduras for treatment, Alex was surprised by his mother Dilcia during a routine visit to his oncologist for a checkup.
Dilcia, who was unable to travel earlier due to COVID-19, visa restrictions, and financial challenges, was ecstatic to see her son again for the first time for the holidays.
“I don’t have enough words to thank everybody at Nicklaus Children’s for everything they have done for our son Alex while he was away from us. Everybody here has been heaven sent and there’s no price for that,” said Dilcia.
“This is the best Christmas gift ever. I’m blessed to have my mom here with me as I finish my last chemo treatment,” said Alex.
Alex and Dilcia are among the first families to receive support from Mia’s Miracles Foundation who partnered with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to provide support services to families with financial needs.
Mia’s Miracles was established to provide small blessings with large impacts, bringing smiles and positivity to children and families facing challenging circumstances. The partnership program, Mia’s Blessings, provides emergency funds to families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital so they do not have to choose between their child’s medical care and other expenses. Support helps cover transportation, food and hygiene products, lodging, and as needed, funeral and memorial services.
Mia’s Blessings also includes an “Adopt-a-Family” element to make a greater impact in the life of a family, as well as Miracle Flights to ensure parents/guardians from other countries can be with their child as they receive world-class care at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
“We’re extremely grateful to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for the care and love they gave to our family, most importantly to Mia. We want to return our blessings and gratitude by helping other families that are facing similar difficult situations,” said Camilo and Maria. “Nicklaus Children’s Hospital not only focuses on healing their patients physically but also wants to make them happy and comfortable. This is all possible due to their incredible staff! We couldn’t be more grateful to partner with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in honoring Mia’s legacy by giving back to children and families during challenging times.”
“We admire Camilo and Maria Villegas for their commitment to honoring baby Mia’s legacy by creating miracles for families in need at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital,” said Matthew Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “Mia’s Miracles will provide much needed support to many families going through economic hardship who turn to Nicklaus Children’s during a critical time in their child’s health.”
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians and more than 475 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children’s Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation:
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to support the delivery of and access to world-class healthcare at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, South Florida’s only freestanding children’s hospital. Founded in 1982 as Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation was the vision of Ambassador David M. Walters who, after losing his 6-year-old granddaughter to leukemia in 1970 due to lack of medical resources, vowed no child would ever have to leave South Florida for healthcare. Today, alongside major benefactors Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation is dedicated to raising critical funds for patients and families served at the 309-bed flagship facility and its network of outpatient centers, extending from southern Miami-Dade to Martin County. For more information, visit https://give.nicklauschildrens.org.
