Isabella Di Pietro Memorial Scholarship

Turning Pain into Purpose, the mission of Isabella’s Warriors, a movement born from the strength and legacy of Isabella (Bella) Di Pietro, a vibrant, funny and deeply compassionate young woman who left an indelible mark on those around her.

From the moment she stepped into the studio in September 2003 at just three years old, Bella found her home in dance. Over the next 15 years until she graduated in June 2018, Dancers Burlington became more than a studio. It became her second family, a place where her quiet strength, quirky sense of humour and joyful presence were deeply felt. Bella wasn’t the loudest in the room, but she led by example – committed, kind and always there for her teammates. Whether she was practicing a routine, sharing a well-timed dad joke, or making others laugh, often at her own expense, Bella brought heart, humour and grace to everything she did. 

In her own words, Bella wrote:

After graduating from Dancers Burlington, Bella went on to study at the University of Guelph, where she earned her degree in psychology in May of 2022. Always a dreamer, she set her sights on a long-time goal to travel to South Korea and teach English. To make that dream a reality, she began working on her certifications and updating her health checks, preparing for the next chapter of her life.

In December 2022, Bella went for a routine eye exam as part of her preparation to teach abroad. Bella’s optometrist noticed blood behind her eyes. Often, as an early sign of diabetes, her doctor ordered blood work. The test results suggested something more alarming than diabetes. On January 23, Bella received an urgent call while at work that she needed to get to the hospital immediately. Within hours, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a form of blood cancer and transferred to Juravinski Hospital to begin immediate treatment.

From the moment of her diagnosis, Bella faced her diagnosis with quiet courage, grit and a sense of humour that never wavered. The treatment plan was grueling. She endured painful lumbar punctures, the side effects of chemotherapy, multiple bone marrow aspirations and biopsies, a major blood clot in her brain and endless hospital visits. When she was told she was in remission after the first phase of treatment, there was hope. But then came another blow when doctors discovered a chromosomal abnormality that made relapse almost inevitable. A stem cell transplant would be the best option to prevent the cancer’s return.

On July 20, 2023, Bella received her stem cell transplant – a day her family called her “rebirthday.” But the journey didn’t get easier. Complications arose almost immediately. The transplant didn’t fully graft, leading to a series of devastating health challenges, including a relentless condition known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which attacked her gastrointestinal system as well as her liver. She faced endless procedures, testing and countless blood transfusions. She endured nine hospital admissions, totalling 188 days, each one more challenging than the last. 

Despite her suffering, Bella remained a fighter. Even when the illness took a toll on her mental health, she pressed forward. She longed for normalcy, for days filled with reading, dancing, laughter and planning for her future. But the battle was relentless and on March 14, 2024, Isabella Rosaria Di Pietro passed away. She was only 23.

Her story inspired action. Friends, family and even strangers joined a growing movement known as Isabella’s Warriors, raising awareness about blood donation and the stem cell registry. Many danced alongside Bella in spirit, moved by her resilience and determination.

In her honour, Dancers Burlington has established the Isabella Di Pietro Memorial Scholarship. Awarded annually, it will go to a dancer who embodies Bella’s spirit – passionate, compassionate, quietly determined and full of heart. It is our way of ensuring that her love for dance and the quiet leadership she brought to our studio, lives on in future generations.

Bella’s mother, Rosie; father, Nick; and brother, John, along with friends and family, continue to carry forward her legacy reminding us all to meet life with courage, kindness and laughter.

Bella’s light, humour and kindness remain a guiding force for all who knew her. And now, through this scholarship and the community she inspired, we continue to dance and fight in her name turning Pain into Purpose.