An 8-year-old cancer survivor, Mia DeCamilla, experienced an unsettling incident at her first NFL game on Sunday when she was pushed down the stands by a Bills fan. Although Mia was not physically injured, the emotional impact of the event led her family to leave the game early.
Mia, who lives in Rochester, NY, developed a passion for the San Francisco 49ers thanks to her father. During her time in the hospital battling liver cancer—twice, with a relapse occurring in May of last year—Mia and her dad would bond over watching football. This shared experience solidified her loyalty to the 49ers.
Excited for her first game, Mia arrived with a sign proclaiming, “I beat cancer,” and was full of energy as they drove to the stadium. However, the joyful atmosphere quickly turned sour when an intoxicated Bills fan pushed her down the stairs in section 312, which had not been cleared of snow.
According to her father, Mike DeCamilla, the fan made a comment about pushing through the 49ers fans before angrily shoving Mia, causing her to nearly fall off the stairs and collide with nearby seats.
Shaken and deeply upset by the incident, the family decided to leave the game early. Mike expressed frustration noting the stark difference in size between the adult fan and his young daughter who weighs less than 100 pounds.
The incident has garnered attention, including from former NFL player Antonio Brown, who plans to reach out to Mia via FaceTime to raise awareness about her journey. Many social media users have called for Bills fans to improve their behavior, claiming that such actions do not represent the spirit of Bills Mafia.
After the incident, Mia has reportedly expressed reluctance to return to Highmark Stadium anytime soon.
As of Monday night, a GoFundMe campaign to support Mia's ongoing cancer battle has raised over $14,000. If you would like to donate, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/decamilla-family-fund
Hope Rises, a local organization in Buffalo spreading positivity and helping those in need, is collecting notes of encouragement or holiday greetings to Mia, with cards being sent to the following address:
Mia DeCamilla
c/o Hope Rises
PO Box 24
E. Amherst, NY 14051
8-year-old Cancer Survivor Violently Pushed Down Stands by Drunk Buffalo Bills Fan