Coaches vs. Cops fundraising basketball game for Union City girl battling leukemia

UNION CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- Union City Police and local police officers held a special basketball fundraising game to help a little girl battling leukemia.

"We're here for Bella!" a participant said.

There was a battle for Bella in Union City Wednesday night.

Hundreds gathered to raise money for Bella Bermudez; the 5-year-old is undergoing chemotherapy to treat leukemia.

"It's something heartbreaking. Something you never imagined could happened to you, especially as a mother, you don't want to think about it," said Norma Perez, Bella's mother.

Norma Perez says her daughter was diagnosed with cancer last summer.

The family has medical insurance, but extra costs are adding up.

So neighbors touched by their story organized a coaches versus cops basketball fundraiser at the city's middle school.

"We're trying to help as much as we can from raffles, to selling T-shirts, anything we could basically put our hands on to help them out," said JC Cordero, a volunteer.

"I want to dance!" Bella said.

"You're not going to be shy?" Eyewitness News said.

"No, like this," Bella said.

"She's spunky. She has a great soul. She loves to dance, she likes to sing. She is always happy, and that's inspiring," said Officer Carlos Pina, an organizer.

It's not just the financial support, Bella's mother says this emotional support, watching a game winning shot at the buzzer, puts her smile on Bella's face and is key to her recovery.

You can help Bella here: https://www.gofundme.com/webattleforbella