Girl who had Minnie Mouse doll by her side for 40 brain surgeries has 'sparkle back' after toy was found

Bre Ramirez, 13, has had the doll by her side for 40 brain surgeries.

January 8, 2020, 11:23 AM

A young girl who survived numerous brain surgeries was tickled pink to be reunited with her favorite Minnie Mouse doll after an extensive search when it was thought to be lost.

13-year-old Bryanna Ramirez, who goes by Bre, was born with a condition in which her brain is too big for her skull, which has prompted 40 brain surgeries since she was just 18 months old.

Her mom, Niki Dougherty-Ramirez, said that the Minnie stuffed animal has been by her side for each one.

PHOTO: Bryanna Ramirez was reunited with her favorite Minnie Mouse doll that has been with her for 40 brain surgeries.
Bryanna Ramirez was reunited with her favorite Minnie Mouse doll that has been with her for 40 brain surgeries.
Niki Dougherty-Ramirez

"We were all shocked and beyond happy. You saw that sparkle back in her eyes that was missing while she was gone," Dougherty-Ramirez, told ABC News. "It was so nice to see her smile again. She [was] quick to put her into the crease of her neck where she keeps her and smiled so big. I felt like I had my Bre back."

When the concerned mom first took to Facebook to ask for community to help find the toy, the hashtag #FindMinnie became a trending topic on social media.

PHOTO: Bryanna Ramirez in an undated photo with her favorite Minnie Mouse doll.
Bryanna Ramirez in an undated photo with her favorite Minnie Mouse doll.
Niki Dougherty-Ramirez

Bre last remembered having the doll at the Chick-fil-A restaurant on Horizon Boulevard near the Neshaminy Mall.

That restaurant offered a $250 reward and free food for a year to anyone who located the doll.