Meet Nathalia, our friend and superhero, who has been a part of the Love Your Melon family since her journey began. Nat was diagnosed at age 12 with Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and has since undergone countless chemotherapy treatments and endured major surgeries. Due to recent findings, she only has a few more weeks left. Nat has been an inspiration for our team and everyone that she’s met.⁣⁣

Nat told us that attending prom is one of her wishes and we wanted to help make her wish a reality. The Love Your Melon Crew was honored to host “Nat’s WinterBall” in the LYM studio this week.

Close friends and family from all over Minnesota came to the Twin Cities for a special night to celebrate Nat. While Nat was getting dolled up with professional hair and makeup, her friends and family were being bussed in from Duluth. All her classmates and family members arrived dressed in elegant gowns and suits, anxiously waiting the exciting arrival of Nat.

Everyone gathered by the entrance and put their hands together, forming a tunnel for Nat to go through when she arrived. As soon as Nat entered, the room was filled with smiles, cheers and chants for her. Nat arrived beaming from cheek to cheek in the most beautiful dress, along with her special date, Justin Baldoni.

After everyone celebrated the arrival of Nat, it was time start the night with good food, dancing, and a photo booth! Nat took some silly pictures in the photo booth, snapped some selfies, and danced the night away with her friends and family. There was even a point where her friends started a circle around her showing her their best dance moves! Nat couldn’t stop smiling as she looked around seeing all of her loved ones.

The night was filled with laughter, tears, and joy. It was amazing to see how Nat has touched so many lives, at such a young age. Facing a terminal diagnosis, she has never stopped giving her love out into the world and she continues to inspire us even more. She is such a strong, creative, brave, and remarkable person, and we are lucky to have a friend like Nathalia.

With your support, experiences like Nat’s WinterBall Prom provide children like Nat, who are battling pediatric cancer, with an everlasting memory. Thank you for making this incredible night possible.

“It’s easy to put a smile on your face when you have such great people around you.” -Nathalia Hawley

Thank you to everyone below for your help in making this night special for Nathalia:

• Nat's Friends and Family

• Justin Baldoni

• Bella Bridesmaids/Hayley Paige

• Cristina Ziemer Beauty

• Crescent Cove Staff

• Fairview Nursing

• Red Rabbit MN

• Smack Shack

• Cafe Latte

• Bellecour

• Minnesota Ice Sculptures

• Time Into Pixels Photography

• Ostego Hedgehog

• Minnesota Coaches

• Total Limo

• Wayfarer Entertainment

• A Touch of Magic

Visit this page to learn more about our superhero, Nathalia and to take part in #BeaniesForNat.