SARASOTA (WSNN) – A teenage ballet dancer plans to inspire the next generation of youth through her new children’s book about organ donations.
16-year-old, Bella Iannuzzi, is an aspiring ballerina who takes her passion from the dance and channeled it to writing a children’s book, in hopes of inspiring kids her age to become registered organ donors.”
“I wanted to take the concept of organ donation and turn it into a concept for kids to understand,” Bella Iannuzzi said.
Her book, titled ‘Bella’s Brigade for Hope’ is about friendship, ballet, and organ transplantation. It’s inspired by her family friend, Deanna Anderson, who had to fight for her life when her liver failed.
“When she was seven months old, she received her life-saving organ transplant surgery,” Bella Iannuzzi said.
But at seven years old, Bella didn’t know about organ donations.
“She’s like my little sister,” Bella Iannuzzi said. “I was like what’s this? What do you mean? This is all new information to me. But I did a lot of research and I learned so much through her journey that I knew when I got older, I wanted to make a difference.”
“She was genuinely moved, and she loves that little girl,” Bella’s mom, Denise Iannuzzi said.
So, two years ago, Bella established her non-profit 501c3 ‘Dancers Donate Life,’ to encourage and educate young people about the benefits of becoming an organ donor, which eventually led her to write this book.
“I want to serve as a role model and a mentor for all the younger generations coming up,” Bella said.
“Those young adults are going to get their driver’s license for the first time, and they’re going to be asked, do you want to check yes for life,” Denise said. “And they may have never had that conversation to learn anything about it.”
Bella is also participating in the upcoming Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen competition. When she competes, Deanna will be right by her side, as Bella’s Sunshine Princesses.
“It’s kind of like that full-circle moment because Bella held her as a baby and loved her when she was sick and waiting for that transplantation,” Denise said.
100-percent of the book’s proceeds are going towards ‘Donate Life America.’
“I’m so proud to say that because it means the world to me,” Bella said.
The book is in the process of publishing and coming soon in a couple of weeks. Bella will compete with Deanna by her side, next Saturday for Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen.
In addition to her book and nonprofit, she founded Bella’s Band-Aid Brigade, which collects thousands of cheerful band-aids for kids.
“When you’re constantly getting poked and prodded, a normal bandage isn’t going to mean anything,” Bella said. “You’re going to want a bandage that shows your triumph and your success.”
