BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There are thousands of broken hearts in Western New York after the sudden death of nine-year-old Mia Klyczek.
Klyczek passed away on Sunday, just days after testing positive for flu B, according to a GoFundMe page set up for her and a Facebook post from her mother.
Her mother, Christina, wrote the following on Facebook:
"Heaven gained another angel tonight. God knew she was too perfect for this world. We will love you forever, Mia Sofia."
The organizers of the GoFundMe page shared the following:
"As of this evening, Heaven gained another Angel. Thank you for your continued support of Mia and her family."
Klyczek went to the ER at Oishei Children's Hospital during the early morning hours of February 19, after a slight fever and vomiting.
According to the GoFundMe, the 9-year-old had a seizure and was sedated with a breathing tube.
Her family said doctors believed flu B caused severe swelling and bleeding in the brain, along with heart issues. On Friday the family said there was no blood flow to her brain.
The community is now rallying around the Klyczek family.
The Alden Varsity Basketball team will be wearing these hearts on their warm-up shirts on Saturday in their first playoff game.
"The least we can do is be a support system," said Matt Moretti, Alden varsity boy's basketball coach.
Mia's father coaches the Alden JV boys team and other teams in Alden. The JV team played its last game on February 14 and Moretti said Mia was there cheering on her dad.
"Got a chance to meet her there," said Moretti. "All the stories online from people who knew her far better than me talk about a little angel she was and a bright shining light."
The Alden School Central School District called Mia a thoughtful, compassionate girl who was a "friend to all."
Black Bear Tattoo in West Seneca is also stepping up to support the family. It will be holding a tattoo fundraiser for the Klyczek family on March 9. It's first come first serve. The shop's owner Tony D'Amico knows Mia's father.
"I grew up with Sean, went to high school together," said D'Amico. "He’s a client of mine at the shop."
D'Amico will select the designs ahead of time that will range in price from $50 - $80. Some of the designs will celebrate Mia, and what she liked. Designs with her name, cheerleading and even Taylor Swift.
“I wanted to do what we could to help, even if it's a little bit," said D'Amico.
On Monday, Alden's Superintendent sent a note to the district with resources for students and staff.
