A Day with Viviana: A Birthday Gift of Confidence and Joy

At the For Nina Foundation, our mission is to provide comfort, support, and confidence to children battling cancer through our Wigs for Comfort and Confidence program. We are thrilled to share the story of Viviana, a vibrant 14-year-old from Miami, who received a beautiful wig just in time for her birthday celebration.

 

We first learned about Viviana from her mom, who reached out to us after seeing Phoebe’s wig and reading about her experience on our social media pages. Viviana had been wearing a head covering for many months due to her chemotherapy treatment, and she dreamed of having a wig like Phoebe’s. When we received photos of Viviana, we saw a lovely, spirited young woman, and we knew we had to help her.

We scheduled Viviana’s day for June 1, coinciding with her birthday celebration with friends and family. Katia, our talented wig master, set off early in the morning from Orlando, anticipating the four-hour drive to Miami. Erica, the president, and Bob, the vice president of the foundation, took the Brightline train from Orlando to Miami, reducing their travel time by an hour. Despite their best efforts, Katia arrived at Viviana’s house before them, as usual. Their excitement on the train ride was palpable, discussing the day's plans and their hopes for future trips to bring wigs to more children in need.

Viviana’s home was buzzing with activity as friends and family prepared for her birthday party. Viviana greeted the team sweetly and shyly, a typical 15-year-old girl in every way except for the head covering she wore. It was clear she was self-conscious about it, and they wanted to reassure her of her beauty. However, they knew that for a 15-year-old girl, not having hair can be devastating, and no words could change how she felt.

What they did know was that Katia would create a wig for Viviana that would bring her comfort and confidence for the first time in months. Katia worked her magic, and Viviana’s wig turned out even better than anyone imagined. It was long, shiny, and incredibly natural-looking. Viviana’s joy was evident as she spent the next half hour or more doing her makeup and lashes with her cousin in the wig wagon.

Viviana’s mom and aunt watched with tears of joy as they saw Viviana enjoying herself with her friends and family, preparing for her party like a normal teenager. Their gratitude was deeply moving, and the team felt honored to have been able to make this happen for Viviana. The ride home was filled with funny stories from the day and plans for the future, knowing that this was just the beginning of many more trips to come.

How You Can Support More Kids Like Vivianna

At the For Nina Foundation, stories like Viviana’s inspire us to continue our work and reach more children in need. Our Wigs for Comfort and Confidence program relies on the generous support of our donors. Your contributions make it possible for us to provide high-quality wigs to children battling cancer, helping them regain their confidence and feel beautiful again.

We invite you to join us in making a difference. Please consider donating to the For Nina Foundation today. Your support will help us bring smiles and joy to more children like Viviana, who deserve to feel confident and loved during their fight against cancer. Together, we can create more beautiful moments and change lives.

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Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

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