BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — On Friday night, 9-year-old Mya Culley walked into Sahlen field thinking she would enjoy the evening with family.
She and her family walked down the stairs of Sahlen Field and into the tunnel. But before walking out, Mya learned she would be throwing the first pitch.
This night was a special one for Mya, who is a big baseball fan herself. In 2021, right before her birthday, she was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Thankfully, just about two and a half years later, Mya is now in remission and had her last treatment in October.
"I mean it's a journey," said her mother Tanya. "There's some many different roads. The biggest thing is the support from the community. It's amazing."
The Buffalo Bisons recognized the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at Friday night's game. Mya is one of this year's Honored Heroes for the society.
She hasn't been able to play ball since she was diagnosed. So to celebrate her remission and success, she threw the first pitch and got to walk away with the ball she threw to Buster Bison.
Mya and her mom say the pitch was special for another reason. Mya's dad died when she was one. He was a pitcher for St. Bonaventure University. Mya and her mom say that the pitch was in honor of him.
