MIAMI – A viewing was held Thursday afternoon for Bella Rodriguez-Torres, the 10-year-old South Florida girl who won the hearts of thousands through a social media campaign documenting her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The viewing was held between 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Funeral Home, 11655 SW 117th Ave. in Kendall.
Celebration of Bella's Life Mass of Resurrection will be on Friday at 1 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 12125 SW 107th Ave.
Officers from the Miami Police Dept. have organized a Fundraiser for the St. Baldrick's Foundation to help find a cure for Childhood Cancer.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a small donation to www.Bella2013.com
Bella touched many hearts. At least 55,000 followed her progress on a Facebook page titled "Pray For Bella."
On Tuesday, her followers used social media to mourn their loss.
"Heaven has gained a new angel. A courageous little girl lost her battle with cancer today," Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez posted on Facebook. "May Bella rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with Bella's family and every family that has been affected by this terrible disease. Bella will never be forgotten. Live Like Bella."
NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon also Tweeted: "In memory of Bella Rodriguez-Torres. #LiveLikeBella #Believe. Until there's a cure, we #FightOn"
Miami Heat fans mourning Bella's death asked LeBron James to write Live Like Bella on his shoes: http://instagram.com/p/Z3ghbeJnkG/.
LeBron ended up granting Bella's dying wish and so did Dwyane Wade by sporting "Live Like Bella" on their shoes during Tuesday's playoff game.
"Dwyane came up to me with the story today, and it was a no brainer for me," James said. "It's sad. It puts everything in perspective. At the end of the day this game is just basketball. Two great teams, we're competing, but it's just basketball."
In her short life, Bella won the hearts of thousands of people around the country. Her parents led a social media campaign documenting Bella's rare cancer diagnosis and treatment, As of Thursday morning, the "Pray for Bella" Facebook page had more than 63,000 fans.