Help Us Fund Essential
Osteosarcoma Research
Bella’s Story
Before her osteosarcoma diagnosis at age 12, Bella was already dedicated to serving others. She volunteered in her community, participated in church activities, and raised money for cancer charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. When cancer changed her life in 2016, her desire to help others only grew stronger. From her hospital bed, Bella created Angel Heart of Hope, a ministry that shared comfort and encouragement with children battling serious illnesses. Inspired by a nurse who drew an angel on her pillowcase, Bella began giving angel-themed pillowcases filled with toys and gifts to children in hospitals. She also donated American Girl dolls and LEGO sets to help kids celebrate milestones like completing chemotherapy or receiving clear scans.
Bella’s strong faith guided her mission. She often spoke about the love and hope she found in Jesus and shared that message on her Instagram account, @thenookdolls, which continues to inspire thousands around the world.
View her testimony of faith video:
Although Angel Heart of Hope is closing its doors soon, Bella’s legacy continues through the Bella Muntean Osteosarcoma Science Fund at The Osteosarcoma Institute (OSI). Friends and family can honor Bella’s final wishes by supporting this fund, which advances research to find better treatments and, one day, a cure for osteosarcoma.
“We need a cure for this horrible disease so no family endures this loss. I feel blessed to continue Bella’s legacy through osteosarcoma research.” —Brenda Muntean, Bella’s mom
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Bella giving back
Bella Muntean (12 yrs. old) playing the flute in 7th grade for a competition which she was accepted into State the weekend before her cancer diagnosis.
Bella’s Gifts & Talents
Bella was a talented dancer who loved both jazz and ballet, performing in recitals from 2013 through 2015. Her creativity and joy shone through every performance. About a year before she passed, her parents discovered another remarkable gift. Bella could play the piano entirely by ear. She could listen to a song and play it from memory without sheet music. Her family believes this was a special gift from God.
To see more of Bella’s life and the impact she made, you can find video tributes and articles by searching Bella Muntean on YouTube or Google.
Osteosarcoma Statistics
Osteosarcoma is the most common childhood bone cancer.
No new treatments have been approved for osteosarcoma patients in 40 years.
1 in 3 children with osteosarcoma will not survive.
To OSI, No New Options is Not an Option
The Osteosarcoma Institute’s mission is to dramatically increase treatment options and survival rates in osteosarcoma patients through identifying and funding the most promising and breakthrough osteosarcoma clinical trials and science.
