Friendships can form in unlikely places. On the night of Shine Gold 2024, cancer warrior, Mia DeCamilla, and Hope Rises board member, Jennifer (Jenni) Gerena, shut down the dance floor together and created a bond that neither of them were expecting.
At that point, Mia had been living with a cancer diagnosis for a few years. As a pediatric cancer warrior, the Shine Gold fundraiser was an opportunity for her to be celebrated among the other children in attendance who were fighting their own respective battles with the wicked disease. With face painting, a bubble show, and mascots parading the venue, Shine Gold serves two functions: a fundraiser for pediatric cancer resources, and a chance for those kids to be free from the burden of the disease that brought them there- if only for a night. And, for Mia, that freedom was found on the dance floor.
As a Hope Rises board member, Jenni has closely followed the growth of the Shine Gold campaign and has been a staunch supporter of the cause since its beginning. That night, she was in attendance as a volunteer. As the party wound down, the dance floor blazed with these two dancing queens who sang and danced together as the rest of the crowd dwindled. The night came to a magical end, and a bond was forged for good.
Since their friendship formed that night, Mia and Jenni stayed in touch through letters of encouragement and support. Until two months later, when Jenni received her own cancer diagnosis, and the bond they previously had assumed a whole new level of meaning. Jenni says, “Since then, our friendship has become a steady source of strength. We send each other notes before treatments and scans…simple words of encouragement that carry so much weight. Knowing that Mia, in the middle of her own brave fight, takes the time to cheer me on reminds me that courage isn’t defined by age; it’s defined by heart.” The encouragement and support felt between these two warriors is strong and unwavering, just like their will as they face the unimaginable.
Nearly one year later, at Shine Gold 2025, Mia surprised Jenni with a speech in front of the whole crowd to emphasize the impact their friendship has had on her, and to share some more words of encouragement. She said, “You [Jenni] became my best friend and my forever dance queen and will always have a special place in my heart. Keep fighting and never give up. And, whenever you feel nervous or scared… Just remember to dance it out. That’s what your girl Mia would do.” They shared a hug and created a heartwarming moment for all who watched. But, the impact isn’t just powerful for Mia. Of their friendship, Jenni says, “Mia inspires me with her resilience and her ability to find light in hard days. She’s helped me reframe my own journey, not just as something to endure, but as something that can still hold connection, purpose, and even celebration. Our friendship is a beautiful reminder that even in the toughest seasons, we don’t have to face them alone.” Although Shine Gold is an event born from the need to remedy a destructive disease, it creates connections, memories, and moments that last far beyond the firework display.
Cancer is a cold disease that doesn’t discriminate in its diagnoses. For these two warriors, their constant acts of support and encouragement through their own treatments have proved to be powerful healing tools. Upon recently receiving some concerning news from her last scan, Mia immediately received something else as a pick-me-up: a Starbucks drink and a whole batch of Crumbl cookies, from her best friend and Dancing Queen, Jenni.
