Carol Ann Viccora has turned a mother's worst nightmare into an opportunity to help other families...with chocolate.

Viccora, a North Bellmore resident, lost her daughter Tina in 2006 at age 36, just two years after Tina was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

"A lot of people say you can’t die from Bipolar Disorder," Viccora said. "They’re right, but it can lead to poor choices."

The circumstances behind Tina's death are unclear, but Viccora said that all she knows is Tina's death was ruled accidental.

"When I got the knock on the door that she had passed, I wanted to run to Nassau University Medical Center and tell them this couldn’t be happening," Viccora said.

Tina left behind a 7-year-old daughter, and it was in Tina's name that Mia Tina's Chocolate Creations was born.

"I knew I wanted to do something," Viccora said. "I just wasn't sure what to do."

After an unsuccessful venture with trying to sell jewelry, Viccora's other daughter suggested that she focus on chocolate. While intimidated at first, she eventually realized that she could create just about anything. Viccora now has a small customer base, and until February 14, she will be displaying a case of her creations at Felecia's Fabulous Cookies in East Meadow for Valentine's Day.

Aside from the cost of materials, 100 percent of the proceeds from Mia Tina's goes to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She also dedicates her entire basement to all things chocolate.

Viccora also is on the committee for Tina Marie's Hope for NAMI Walks fundraiser on March 25 from 1-4 p.m. at South Farmingdale Lanes. For $25 per adult or $20 per child, participants get three hours of bowling, along with lunch, salad and soda. There will also be raffles to help benefit NAMI, and children's entertainment will be provided as well.

"I don’t want another mother to go through the pain that I went through to not be able to help your own child," Viccora said. "While I couldn’t help my own, perhaps I could help someone else’s."

For more information on ordering chocolate, how to donate or to register for Mia Tina's event, email Carol Ann Viccora at CAV14@optonline.net or call 516-221-6168.