Mila’s Story
Thirteen years could never have been enough for a life as full of personality, laughter, creativity, friendship, and love as Mila’s.
Mila Melida Muñiz was born on September 30, 2012, in New York City, the beloved daughter of Gracie Irizarry and Damian Muñiz. From the very beginning, Mila had a way of making her presence known. From the ages of 3 to 12, Mila participated in ballet, karate, soccer, swim team, dance, tennis, flag football, cheerleading and musical theater. She was funny, witty, thoughtful, generous, bold, headstrong, independent and completely unapologetic about being herself. She was outgoing, engaging, and creative. She loved music, dancing, crafting, Needohs, Jellycats, good food, and pulling off the occasional tasteful prank.
Mila was in every sense, a girl’s girl.
She was a fiercely loyal friend who believed in accepting people exactly as they were. Her friends knew they could be themselves around her. Mila had a remarkable ability to make people feel comfortable, included, supported, and seen. She celebrated the people she loved, stood beside them, and made sure they knew they belonged.
Some of her proudest accomplishments were making the cheer team, earning lead roles in musical theatre, graduating from eighth grade, and—after finding the courage to face one of her fears—riding a roller coaster.
She also treasured the simplest moments. Dancing with her dad. Kisses and hugs with her mom. Adventures with her cousins. Laughing with friends. Creating something with her hands. Being surrounded by the people she loved.
Mila loved people, and people loved being around Mila.
Those were Mila’s moments.
On March 9, 2025, at just 12 years old, Mila was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an aggressive brain tumor.
In an instant, life changed for Mila and everyone who loved her.
What followed were treatments, hospital stays, difficult days, long trips, uncertainty, and challenges no child should ever have to face. As the disease progressed, it took away abilities that most of us take for granted, including much of Mila’s mobility, her sight, her ability to swallow and lastly her voice.
But it never took away Mila.
She remained funny through her facial expressions and her soft and gentle giggles. She remained headstrong. She remained loving. She remained brave. Even as her world changed, Mila continued finding ways to experience joy and connection.
Mila’s courage was extraordinary, but her life was never defined by cancer. DIPG was something Mila faced. It was never who she was. Who she was could be found in her laughter, her friendships, her creativity, her stubborn determination, her love for her family, her faith, her sense of humor, and the way she made people feel when they were with her.
Throughout her illness, Mila was surrounded by extraordinary love. Her parents stood beside her every step of the way, never giving up hope. Her family walked alongside her, and an entire community rallied around her. Friends, classmates, teachers, coaches, neighbors, the cheer squad, the flag football team, and her medical teams showed Mila and her family what it means to truly show up for someone.
And Mila gave that love right back.
She faced circumstances that would have overwhelmed even the strongest adults with a courage far beyond her years. Through incredibly difficult moments, she continued to laugh, love, believe, and hope. Her faith in God remained an important part of that journey.
On July 19, 2026, after a fiercely fought battle with DIPG, Mila passed away at Boston Children’s Hospital with her parents beside her, surrounded by love.
She was 13 years old.
But thirteen years cannot measure the size of Mila’s life.
The Moments Continue
Mila taught the people around her that a meaningful life is not measured simply in years. It is measured in moments—the people we love, the laughter we share, the kindness we give, the courage we find, and the way we make someone else feel less alone.
This is why Moments with Mila exists.
It continues every time a child facing a life-threatening brain tumor receives something that brings them comfort or joy. It continues when a family in the middle of an unimaginable journey feels seen and supported. It continues through acts of kindness, generosity, advocacy, community, and love.
And it continues in the little things—the things Mila understood so well.
Because when so much feels uncertain, a moment can mean everything.
She was deeply loved.
And through Moments with Mila, that love will keep moving forward—creating moments of comfort, happiness, connection, and hope for other children and families in her name.
Mila may have lived for thirteen years, but the love she created will last far longer than a lifetime.
This is Mila’s story.
And we will keep telling it.
